Sinn Fein mayor lays WWI wreath

Tom Hartley laid a wreath before the official ceremony

The Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast has laid a wreath at the war memorial in City Hall to remember those killed at the Battle of the Somme.

Tom Hartley was joined by a number of other councillors from his party, who observed a short silence at the cenotaph.

The official remembrance service took place a few hours later.

Councillor Hartley, who represents the lower Falls area, said many people from there contributed to the war effort.

"Many republicans have grandparents and great uncles who fought at the Somme," he said.

"The 6th Battalion of Connaught Rangers, who fought at the Somme in September 1916, over 600 of them came from the Falls Road.

"There is a history of involvement in the British army on the Falls Road and particularly during World War I."