The murder of a Catholic community worker beaten to death by a Protestant mob in Northern Ireland was primitive, premeditated evil, a priest told mourners at his funeral today.

Father-of-four Kevin McDaid, 49, was killed yards from his home in Coleraine, Co Londonderry eight days ago when violence flared after a 40-strong Loyalist mob stormed into the area after Rangers beat Celtic to the Scottish Premier League.

Six men have so far been charged with the murder and they, together with two more, with the attempted murder of Damien Fleming, 46, who was critically injured in the disturbances.

Mr McDaid's sons carried their father's coffin from his home followed by their tearful mother.

Hundreds joined the cortege as it made the short journey to the town's hill top St John's Church.

Leaders of Presbyterian Church of Ireland churches in the town attended the funeral as did Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MP, SDLP leader Mark Durkan, MP and Assembly members Francie Brolly of Sinn Fein and the SDLP's John Dallat. No Unionist politicians were noticeable either inside or outside the church.

Parish priest Father Charles Keaney said Mr McDaid had been a good, modest and hard working man who always tried to do what was right and best in everything.

He said: "He worked tirelessly to build bridges in this community, especially with the young. In this area he was known as 'The Peace Maker'."

Father Keaney added: "What happened last Sunday evening really was nothing to do with religion. Indeed, it was nothing to do with football.

"It was like something that would happen in the dark ages .... It was primitive, premeditated evil.

The priest said that as the world watched today they saw a town bereft of peace.

"Scratch beneath the veneer of normality and you will find a people with tired hopes, dull love and broken trust.

"A place where bitter mindless acts of violence and murder can be tolerated or excused even by a minority."

He warned: "Unless we put the prejudices of the past behind us and increase our efforts to work together then this could happen again."

There had to be genuine compassion and justice for all, he said, a respect for the dignity of every man and woman regardless of their religious denomination or political persuasion.

What was required was a genuine care for those who are were marginalised and in need.

"We must tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour. It is time for all of us in this community to be more tolerant, open and involved," said Father Kearney.

After the service Mr McDaid was buried in the churchyard where his wife led family members in throwing single red roses into the grave.

Speaking afterwards Martin McGuinness said he had attended because he believed it very important for people in positions of political responsibility to show solidarity with those who were suffering.

"It has been a terrible blow, another black mark against a backdrop of tremendous progress in terms of the peace process," said Mr McGuinness.

He said it was time for politicians to get together and for Government to launch a political initiative to tackle the problems of Coleraine.

"We know that Coleraine is a town apart from many other places in the north of Ireland, where we clearly have a small minority of people who believe that they rule the roost and effectively believe they will decide who does what in this town.

"I think against a backdrop of their willingness to use violence, to murder people in the streets, the only response has to be by political leaders who are prepared to engage in a very serious initiative to try to bring all of this to an end," he said.

It was time for growing up among Coleraine's political leaders who needed to take up their responsibilities, said the Deputy First Minister.

He said there were Unionist politicians in the constituency who even today were not prepared to say hello to him.

SDLP's Mark Durkan said the funeral had been an opportunity for the community to show its disgust at the murder.

Speaking afterwards, he said: "Father Keaney rightly highlighted how primitive and pernicious sectarianism is.

"We need a determined, united community and political stand to eradicate sectarianism in all its forms in all parts of the North."