West Belfast came to a standstill as the coffin of the 67-year-old was removed from New Barnsley Crescent, Ballymurphy.

Mourners walked behind the funeral cortege to a republican memorial garden on the Springfield Road where tributes were paid to the Mr Keenan, who died last Wednesday from cancer.

In an address to mourners, Gerry Adams said he remained dedicated to republicanism.

"Even in the face of great illness he never gave up, never stopped plotting and planning and arguing and looking to how republicans could best develop our policies and advance our struggle," he said.

"He was central to securing the support of the IRA leadership and rank and file for a whole series of historic initiatives which made the peace process possible.

"And for the sceptics within unionism, let me remind them that the recent watershed moments in our history, including the election of Ian Paisley as First Minister, would not have been possible without the work of Brian Keenan and his colleagues."

"His working class politics and his republican and socialist principles were his constant guide through four decades of unstinting activism."

There was no religious element during the funeral ceremony after which the lifelong republican socialist remains were taken to Roselawn crematorium.

Mr Keenan, a former member of the IRA's Army Council, received an 18-year prison sentence in 1980 for conspiring to cause explosions.