Bobby Storey funeral: Martina Anderson and Gerry Kelly now also in firing line over breach of advice

Two senior Sinn Fein MLAs have faced criticism after it emerged they were involved in a large-scale gathering four days before Bobby Storey’s funeral when his coffin was brought to his family – in violation of the government guidance.
Screenshots of Bobby Storey's body coming to his Andersonstown home on 26 June 2020, taken from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=402BrT4t04wScreenshots of Bobby Storey's body coming to his Andersonstown home on 26 June 2020, taken from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=402BrT4t04w
Screenshots of Bobby Storey's body coming to his Andersonstown home on 26 June 2020, taken from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=402BrT4t04w

Now calls have been made for the pair – Martina Anderson and Gerry Kelly, both former IRA convicts – to apologise for their actions.

In addition, DUP chairman Maurice Morrow said both should now be self-isolating for 14 days, and Mr Kelly should step down from his role as deputy speaker of the Assembly.

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The scenes were filmed as part of a video, called “Óglach Bobby Storey comes home”, which was put up on Sinn Fein’s official YouTube channel last Friday, June 26.

In the video, a guard of honour in black and white stand by (as do many other onlookers) as a hearse takes Mr Storey’s coffin to a house where a crowd of people are assembled.

Ms Anderson said in the video: “Bobby Storey has come home tonight. I came from Derry and there’s people from all over Ireland has come here to pay our respects and to bring him home.”

And Mr Kelly said: “Bobby has eventually come home ... He’s back with his family. He’s back with his comrades. There’s a huge crowd turned out to bring him back.”

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The official government guidance on pre-funeral arrangements states: “It is recommended that wakes should not be held [and] there should be no remains taken home to rest.”

Lord Morrow said the footage of Mr Storey’s coffin being taken home with Mr Kelly and Ms Anderson present “is further proof that there was no attempt to respect the very rules they all signed up for”.

Lord Morrow added: “Sinn Fein representatives clearly acted recklessly and without any regard whatsoever for the present difficult circumstances that prevail.

“Their credibility has been completely shattered and their disregard for all those victims of the virus, including doctors, nurses, and all hospital staff who have worked tirelessly to keep us all safe, is breathtaking.

“Self isolation for 14 days has to follow.

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“When it was imperative that clear leadership was required Sinn Fein just could not bring themselves to rise to the occasion.

“They should acknowledge the great disservice they have done to society as a whole and apologise.

“Gerry Kelly should step down from his position as a deputy speaker.”

Meanwhile, UUP MLA Doug Beattie said: “I think it’s pretty clear this whole thing, from when Bobby Storey’s remains were returned to the funeral, has been a Sinn Fein circus. They’ve literally done whatever they want.

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“We saw it with Michelle O’Neill. Now what we see is evidence that Gerry Kelly and Martina Anderson as far back as last week, flouting the rules, openly flouting the rules – and boasting about flouting the rules!

“It’s absolutely disgusting.

“There’s something for them to do individually, and that’s to own up to what they’ve done – step up, say we got this wrong, and show some contrition and apologise.”

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