Bobby Storey funeral: Pressure on Michelle O’Neill to quit amid claims she undermined her own government’s Covid advice

A call has been made for Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill to quit, after widespread accusations that a funeral which she attended was in breach of coronavirus guidelines drawn up by the government she jointly leads.
Bobby Storey’s funeral procession makes its way through west BelfastBobby Storey’s funeral procession makes its way through west Belfast
Bobby Storey’s funeral procession makes its way through west Belfast

She was pictured – along with thousands of other people – at a funeral procession for veteran PIRA figure Bobby Storey in west Belfast, and later gave a short address to an enormous crowd gathered in Milltown Cemetery.

UUP Health Minister Robin Swann was asked if he saw what had unfolded as a “breach of the regulations” governing the coronavirus lockdown.

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He responded: “Yes. Very clearly, with the images that are coming out from Belfast.”

Images from SF's own web feed of the oration by the gravesideImages from SF's own web feed of the oration by the graveside
Images from SF's own web feed of the oration by the graveside

TUV MLA Jim Allister said her position in the Executive is now “untenable” following what he called the “grossly offensive and insulting” flouting of coronavirus guidance.

Alliance MLA John Blair added his voice, saying that the number of people gathered to pay their respects “appears to make a mockery of the Executive’s current guidance”.

And DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the scenes “will have felt like a kick in the teeth for the many families who over recent weeks have gone to considerable lengths to discourage people from attending their loved one’s funeral”.

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The PSNI said it would “consider any suspected breaches” of the law.

But the News Letter can reveal that the PSNI has not even prepared a prosecution file yet relating to the first republican funeral procession which broke Covid-19 guidance – that of Francie McNally in east Tyrone during early April.

Despite the PSNI saying at the time that “people blatantly ignored health advice and breached current legislation”, police have now told the News Letter “the investigation is ongoing” three months later.

Mr Swann said of the funeral scenes: “I have concerns in regards to a breakdown, or people failing to observe the guidance, that the Executive has given collectively over the past 14 weeks.”

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Following mass this morning in St Agnes’ chapel, west Belfast, Mr Storey’s hearse – accompanied by a trio of black taxis as well as bagpipers, Gerry Adams, Ms O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald on foot (among others) – made its way on the roughly one-mile journey from the chapel on the Andersonstown Road to Milltown graveyard on the Falls Road.

Throughout the whole route, which took almost an hour to complete, men and women dressed in white shirts with black ties stood on both sides of the road.

Added to them were the countless onlookers in regular clothes by the roadside, many of whom applauded and crossed themselves as the coffin passed by.

It is impossible to estimate how many were present.

This reporter believes there were at least several thousand people, not hundreds as has been reported elsewhere.

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Then at the graveside itself there were also more people than could be counted as Mr Adams gave an address.

The Covid-19 guidelines published by the government were updated slightly this week.

Previously only 10 people could attend a funeral – but this has now been increased to 30 (not including undertakers and clergy).

The advice says that those attending should include: members of the person’s household; close family members; or “if the deceased has neither household nor family members in attendance, then it is possible for a modest number of friends to be there”.

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The official advice goes on to add: “Social distancing must be practised at all times, which means numbers attending funerals may be restricted further in smaller enclosed places.”

The distance stipulated is two metres (six feet).

The official advice also says: “While funeral notices can still be placed in newspapers or using online services, funeral arrangements should not be advertised.”

The time and route of the funeral was publicised on Monday online by Belfast Sinn Fein.

The NI regulations governing the lockdown were altered on April 24 to make the “two-metre rule” enforceable in cemeteries.

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They say “a person who is responsible for a burial ground must take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of at least two metres is maintained between every person at the burial ground (except between members of the same household)”.

According to regulations as they stand this week, outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people are allowed.

Regulation 5 set out reasons why you can leave the house, and includes as a valid reason: “To attend a funeral of – (i) a member of the person’s household, (ii) a close family member, or (iii) if no-one within sub-paragraphs (i) or (ii) is attending, a friend.”

Asked what police are doing about the crowds, Superintendent Melanie Jones said in a statement: “We were made aware of the plans for today’s funeral and have engaged with the celebrant and service organisers to highlight both the public health advice and risks around Covid-19, and the requirement for those attending to adhere to social distancing.

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“We had assurances that those attending would observe the health guidelines and that marshals would be in place to encourage those lining the cortege route to observe social distancing.

“We will now review footage gathered during the funeral and will consider any suspected breaches of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020.”

Both the Executive Office and Sinn Fein have been approached for comment.

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