Police say they ‘sensitively monitored situation’ as images emerge of yet another large republican funeral gathering

A large crowd was seen to gather on a street of terraced homes in west Belfast on Tuesday to honour Jim Scullion, an influential Belfast-based paramilitary and past IRA prisoner.

It is not the first time concerns have been raised about republican funerals or burial processions in recent weeks.

The News Letter reported previously on the burial procession of Francie McNally, an ex-Sinn Fein councillor in Ballinderry, east Tyrone, on April 8.

In that case, the PSNI said “some people blatantly ignored health advice and breached current legislation by attending the funeral”.

A week later, there were further reports of a large number of people gathered for a funeral in Lenadoon, west Belfast.

In relation to this, the police said: “Those people who attended have put themselves, the local community and our NHS colleagues at more risk due to the potential spread of coronavirus.”

Under the March 28 legal regulations (updated in late April), people are allowed out “to visit a burial ground to pay respects to a member of the person’s household, family member or friend” – and social distancing of at least two metres must be observed.

Although the legal regulations do not state this, the government guidelines say there should be a maximum of 10 people at the funeral.

In the most recent case, a video posted online by Sinn Fein’s Mairtin O’Muilleoir – one of the directors of the west Belfast-based Belfast Media Group (which runs the Andersonstown News and North Belfast News) – shows scores of people lining a street as the coffin is draped in a tricolour.

The Belfast Media Group reports that in fact “hundreds of people turned out for the funeral... while making efforts to maintain social distancing”.

It describes Mr Scullion as a 78-year-old Alzheimer’s sufferer who died last Saturday.

It further adds that he was jailed for 12 years in the early ‘70s for a bakery robbery, and went on to become “Officer Commanding” of the republican wing of the Maze.

The article quotes one well-wisher as saying “he was a thinking republican, and when push came to shove he was loyal to the IRA”.

It appeared while the coffin stood in the street, a religious oration was given.

TUV leader Jim Allister has previously contrasted the strict obedience to the rules shown by many who are mourning loved ones, with past flouting of the rules by republicans.

He asked: “What exactly is the PSNI approach to republican funerals? There are many who suspect that the police are turning a blind eye and this is causing a crisis of confidence in policing.”

Responding, the PSNI told the News Letter they monitored proceedings “in a senseitive manner to ensure compliance with the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020”.

They added: “Officers engaged with some of those in attendance and gave appropriate advice in respect of the regulations. Any evidence of breaches of the regulations will be gathered for consideration of submission to the PPS.”

Asked if they had taken any action yet over the April 8 breach of the government advice, they said “the investigation is ongoing”.

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.

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