Funeral to be held today for murdered prison officer Adrian Ismay who died last week of a heart attack

THE funeral takes places today for murdered prison officer Adrian Ismay who died following a dissident republican bomb attack in east Belfast.

Mr Ismay, 52, was seriously injured after a bomb exploded under his Volkswagen Transporter van as it hit a speed bump in Hillsborough Drive off the Cregagh Road on Friday, March 4

The father-of-three was later released from hospital and was said to have been recovering well.

But a week ago last Tuesday he suffered a heart attack and died later in hospital.

The ‘New IRA’ later claimed responsibility for the bombing and warned of further attacks.

One man has been charged with Mr Ismay’s murder and remanded in custody.

As a result of today’s funeral, all visits to the province’s three jails have been cancelled.