David McNarry: Sorry is not good enough — there cannot be exemptions for deliberate, disgraceful breaches of lockdown rules

Widespread anger at Sinn Fein’s disgraceful role in the orchestrated breach of the executive’s guidance on funerals on Tuesday demands decisive action by the first minister.
By David McNarry
Published 2nd Jul 2020, 07:30 BST
Updated 2nd Jul 2020, 11:38 BST
(left to right) Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill along with other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast on Tuesday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire(left to right) Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill along with other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast on Tuesday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
(left to right) Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill along with other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast on Tuesday. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Any feeble plea bargaining that ‘nothing can be done about the behaviour of other parties’ is an asinine stance.

Expecting unionism to be satisfied with an apology from Michele O’Neill is the wrong call to make by Arlene Foster.

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The first minister may offer platitudes to move on based on a spin of contrition. But in doing so she is seriously misjudging the unionist mood.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

There cannot be a separate set of rules for deliberate, organised shows of strength at republican funerals and other rules enforced upon decent law abiding families.

The issue is beyond a matter of the deputy first ministers brazenly flaunting her own guidance decrees to the rest of us. It is also greater than her position being rendered untenable by her action.

Even should O’Neill step down, her replacement would come from the ranks of those complicit in usurping the guidance on social distancing.

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The decisive action resting with the DUP leadership is to inform the prime minister that they can no longer serve in the executive with Sinn Fein.

David McNarry, Comber

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Related topics:Sinn FeinArlene FosterDUPNorthern Ireland