Unionists seeking answers after it is made clear Bobby Storey coffin went to Roselawn Cemetery

The two main unionist parties on Belfast City Council have called for answers over exactly what took place at the publicly-run Roselawn facility, after it emerged that Bobby Storey was in fact cremated there – not buried at Milltown cemetry as widely believed.
A crowd listens to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral of senior Irish republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast.A crowd listens to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral of senior Irish republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast.
A crowd listens to former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral of senior Irish republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast.

Both the UUP and DUP said there are outstanding questions about the affair, as it became clear yesterday that “stewards” appointed by the family of the dead IRA boss had been present at Roselawn.

When Bobby Storey’s funeral cortege left St Agnes’ chapel on a mile-long trip to Milltown on Tuesday, where Michelle O’Neill and Gerry Adams gave speeches to a vast crowd, it was generally assumed that was because he was being buried there.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It turns out he was cremated at the council-run crematorium in south-east Belfast instead (see below).

TUV leader Jim Allister said that the presence of a number of non-council “stewards” at Roselawn, coupled with the fact a number of council staff left early, resembled a “surrender” of the premises to republicans.

George Dorrian, DUP group leader on Belfast City Council, said his party had been left in the dark about such special arrangements for Mr Storey’s cremation, adding that “it is vital now that the full facts are established – we will support a full report being provided to all councillors”.

The UUP also called for an investigation, with Alderman Jim Rodgers saying he would expect to be told of such special measures as deputy chairman of the People and Communities Committee – but heard nothing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition the councillor said “well-placed sources” had told him “there were more than 60 people” at Roselawn for the cremation – a claim which the council disputes (the council says only 30 were there).

He said if and when a council probe establishes this to be the case, then “the law has to be administered – fairly and equally”.

Government guidance caps funeral attendance at 30 people, and the legally-binding regulations say no group of more than 30 is allowed to congregate.

Councillor Rodgers also said there had been two unmarked police cars outside the Roselawn graveyard/crematorium, but they did not enter the grounds – and contrasted this with “a large police presence in the cemetery” he has seen at loyalist funerals there.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He concluded: “It seems there’s one rule for republicans, and there’s another rule for loyalists.”

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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