The PSNI was secretly watching the funeral of IRA man Eamon 'Peggy' McCourt in Londonderry this week over potential Covid breaches, it can be revealed.
A security source told the Belfast Telegraph that officers were at the funeral on Monday and were wearing discreet body cameras to record footage, which will now be reviewed.
The source added that there were initial plans to use a helicopter, drones or static cameras on Land Rovers to monitor the cortege. However these were ruled out for operational reasons.
It comes after First Minister Arlene Foster said on Thursday that she has raised concerns over 10 republican funerals and "shows of strength" since May 2019 - almost a year before Covid restrictions on funerals - with the Policing Board and PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne.