Coronavirus: No sign of action yet over crowds assembled at republican’s funeral

The PSNI have given no indication that anyone has been charged for breaching legally-enforcable coronavirus rules, following a republican burial procession in east Tyrone.
By Adam Kula
Published 1st May 2020, 13:26 BST
Updated 1st May 2020, 13:27 BST
Parade before the burial of ex-Sinn Fein councillor Francie Mcnally in BallinderryParade before the burial of ex-Sinn Fein councillor Francie Mcnally in Ballinderry
Parade before the burial of ex-Sinn Fein councillor Francie Mcnally in Ballinderry

There was widespread dismay voiced after images of the procession for Francis McNally (an ex-Sinn Fein councillor) were circulated, showing crowds of people assembled as the coffin was taken by horse-drawn carriage to the site of interrment in Ballinderry.

The burial was on April 8, with a funeral mass set to take place at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Moortown at a later date.

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Asked what the latest is on the case on Friday, the PSNI said: “The investigation is ongoing, and a file will be forwarded to the PPS when it is completed.”

The priest involved in the burial, Father Peter Donnelly, said all parts of the service which fell under his control were conducted in line with the coronavirus rules, but when it came to the procession to the graveyard he could not comment.

Coronavirus: Priest who handled controversial burial service of republican said he did everything by the bookA message from the Editor:

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