N. IRELAND: SECURITY STEPPED UP FOLLOWING MAZE PRISON MURDERS (2)

(30 Dec 1997) Natural Sound A big security operation is underway in Northern Ireland for the funeral of Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright. The Protestant militant, known as "King Rat", was gunned down by members of an I-R-A splinter group in the Maze prison outside Belfast on Saturday. British troops with sniffer dogs searched Seagoe cemetery in Billy Wright's home town of Portadown, where the loyalist paramilitary leader is to be buried on Tuesday. Frightened shop owners in the town pulled down their shutters as mourners gathered for the funeral. Virtually every business in the town centre closed for fear of attack by associates of the Loyalist Volunteer Force chief. All bus services were also suspended because of a threat of trouble after the funeral, while the Union Jack flag was flown at half mast. Leaflets had earlier been circulated throughout Portadown calling on shops to close. Even though there was no direct threat, business people and shop owners fearing attack said they were left with no choice but to close during the post-Christmas rush. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...