Funeral takes place of Derry building contractor

The funeral has taken place of Londonderry building contractor David Caldwell who was killed by a terrorist bomb last week.

Mourners at the funeral, which took place on Sunday at Gortnessy Presbyterian Church, heard a call for no retaliation for the murder of the former UDR soldier from his family.

At the weekend, the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty, also condemned the attack saying it had sent shockwaves throughout the whole community.

He said: "Everybody feels under attack and under siege as a result of this because it strikes nerves which are rather raw at the moment, even in the wider community."

Mr Caldwell's cortege was followed by hundreds of mourners from across the province including his partner Mavis McFall and his three daughters, Linda, Gillian and Angela, and stepdaughter Lesley.

Mr Caldwell, who was 51, was killed in an explosion on Thursday after a booby-trapped device, planted by dissident republicans, exploded inside a lunchbox at Caw Camp Territorial Army base in the city.

Mr Caldwell was buried in Ballyowen Cemetery, which is close to Thursday's murder scene.

(MB)