Police to investigate breaches of coronavirus lockdown at republican funeral... again

Whilst many members of the public heeded police advice to stay at home during yesterday’s bank holiday, the PSNI said there were breaches of coronavirus lockdown rules at another republican funeral.
The funeral procession for republican Kieran Wylie in west Belfast yesterdayThe funeral procession for republican Kieran Wylie in west Belfast yesterday
The funeral procession for republican Kieran Wylie in west Belfast yesterday

The funeral of Kieran Wylie saw his tricolour-draped coffin surrounded by mourners in his home neighbourhood of Lenadoon, west Belfast, yesterday, whilst an armoured Land Rover with a camera sat some distance down the road.

Mr Wylie was reportedly a former republican paramilitary, whose allegiance had shifted from the PIRA to dissident splinter group Oglaigh na hEireann in recent years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PSNI district commander Chief Superintendent Jonathan Roberts yesterday told the News Letter: “Ahead of the funeral, police engaged with the family, undertakers and local representatives to highlight the need for compliance with the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020.

“An evidence-gathering vehicle was deployed and breaches [of those restrictions] were noted and will be investigated.”

It comes after police called on the public to “stay at home this Bank Holiday Monday”.

Officers had responded to a surge in visitors to the north coast on Sunday by putting in place traffic diversions and speaking to “a number of non-residents who had travelled”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The PSNI has previously been in the spotlight over appearing to overstate their powers to enforce lockdown.

And republican funerals have been in the headlines too, beginning with that of Francie McNally in east Tyrone in early April, followed by at least another two such gatherings in the weeks afterwards.

In the case of the McNally funeral, the police said the breaches had been “blatant”.

Christopher Stalford, DUP MLA for South Belfast, said: “This has become something of a pattern, and I hope that the police will uniformly enforce the law. There can be no part of our society that is exempt or feels themselves above it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Wylie was shot dead at home on May 17 in a strongly republican district of the city.

The Irish News reported that he had been a PIRA man, “had been involved in carrying out punishment style attacks for the organisation in the 1990s”, and was “well-known in west Belfast as a doorman for a number of republican social clubs”.

It was also reported that he had recently distanced himself from Oglaigh na hEireann.

Father Aidan Brankin of St Oliver Plunkett parish said he was involved in the funeral, but the service did not involve any visit to his chapel itself.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When it comes to funerals, the regulations “impose a duty on a person who is responsible for a burial ground to take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of at least two members [sic] is maintained between every person at the burial ground, except between members of the same household”.

The legal regulations allow members of the person’s household, family members or friends to attend.

In addition, government “general guidance” says there should be “a maximum of 10 people”, not including funeral directors or clerics.

Christopher Stalford, former deputy mayor of Belfast, said: “The rules are hard to abide by. But they are in place for a reason – to try and protect as many people as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I understand that funerals are a significant event, and people are very frustrated at not being able to attend them.

“But the rules are in place to keep us all safe, and I hope in time the rules will be relaxed.

“And until they are people should abide by them. I’m sure all representatives, including republican political representatives, would agree with me on that.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor