Peter Gould reports: "A sense of loss within the nationalist community"

The funeral took place after a night of violence with nationalists, loyalists and police clashing on the streets of Portadown.

Mother-of-three Mrs Nelson was killed by a car bomb on Monday near her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

The Nelson family: Joined by thousands in grief

At the funeral held at St Peter's Church in Lurgan, Father Kieran McPartlan condemned her death as "a cowardly murder of a young defenceless woman".

Father McPartlan said it was "absolutely necessary" that an independent inquiry be set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding it.

Mrs Nelson's son Christopher: "She was the best mother you could ever wish for"

Mrs Nelson's eldest son, Christopher, 13, told the congregation: "My mum was a brilliant solicitor and friend.

"But most of all to us she was the best mother, wife and sister you could ever wish for."

The funeral cortege left Mrs Nelson's home with friends and family carrying the coffin past the place where her silver BMW was blown up.

Christopher, 13, Gavin, 11, and Sarah, eight, linked hands with their father Paul as they walked behind the coffin.

As the cortege approached Tannaghmore Primary School, where Sarah had been at the time of the bombing, pupils lined the route.

Children watch the cortege pass

Mourners included members of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition who were injured in Wednesday night's disturbances.

Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition spokesman Breandan MacCionnaith, a former IRA prisoner, had a plaster over his left eye, and fellow nationalist councillor Joe Duffy appeared to have an arm injury.

Other mourners included Roisin McAliskey, SDLP Assembly member Brid Rodgers and Ormeau Road residents' spokesman Gerard Rice, who helped carry Mrs Nelson's coffin.

People along the route joined the funeral cortege, which paused as the coffin was put into a black BMW at the Woodville Arms.

The cortege passed the entrance to the nationalist Kilwilkee estate, where residents had hung black flags in Mrs Nelson's memory.

Irish President Mary McAleese and Irish Foreign Minister David Andrews travelled from Dublin for the funeral.

Rosemary Nelson: Her death has caused shockwaves

The UK Government was represented by Northern Ireland Office Political Development Minister Paul Murphy.

Senior Sinn Fein Assembly member Francie Molloy and party colleague Conor Murphy were also at the funeral, as were English lawyers Michael Mansfield QC and solicitor Gareth Peirce, who defended the Birmingham Six.

Members of the judiciary and many solicitors and barristers also attended the funeral. Many solicitors' firms and some courts were closed for the day as a mark of respect.

A full requiem mass was said for Mrs Nelson, before her remains were taken to Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast.

Father McPartlan said: "Those who bear the responsibility for her death must be brought to justice.

Crowds gather outside the family's home

"The shockwaves of Rosemary's death have stunned so many people in Lurgan and its surrounding areas and have had enormous ramifications across Northern Ireland and further afield.

"Rosemary was a true friend to everyone. Our community has lost a tireless worker for human rights.

"A friend of the people, her murder strikes at the very heart of the legal and justice process in society."