Jim Allister: Paying respects to a terrorist mattered more to Sinn Fein leader than her own laws

For months Michelle O’Neill has joined Arlene Foster at almost daily press conferences stressing the importance of adhering to the coronavirus regulations.
By Jim Allister
Published 1st Jul 2020, 06:00 BST
Large crowds line the funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Storey as it makes its way through west Belfast. Photo by Philip Magowan/Press EyeLarge crowds line the funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Storey as it makes its way through west Belfast. Photo by Philip Magowan/Press Eye
Large crowds line the funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Storey as it makes its way through west Belfast. Photo by Philip Magowan/Press Eye

Many people have foregone important events, including the funerals of close family and friends, because Ms O’Neill told them that no more than 10 people should attend

In light of the fact that Ms O’Neill was yesterday present with many hundreds of others at the funeral of Bobby Storey her position is untenable.

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Just hours earlier she had told the public that up to 30 could meet outdoors with social distancing.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

There was precious little evidence of social distancing yesterday and an awful lot more than the 10 supposedly permitted for funerals or indeed 30 at the funeral she and other senior republicans from both sides of the border attended yesterday.

Clearly paying respects to convicted terrorist Storey was more important than upholding the law which Ms O’Neill’s own department brought before the assembly.

Her conduct is grossly offensive and insulting to the many law-abiding people who have made the huge sacrifice of foregoing a normal funeral as they said farewell to family member who died recently.

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Sinn Fein ministers should not be permitted to strip people of their fundamental rights in deference to public safety while choosing when to exercise those rights regardless when they feel the need to pay tribute to a terrorist.

How can the public be expected to take any more lectures from the executive seriously after yesterday’s scenes in west Belfast?

Are the only crowds in which Covid-19 cannot spread republican funerals?

Jim Allister QC MLA, Stormont

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Related topics:Michelle O'NeillJim AllisterSinn FeinArlene FosterBelfastCovid-19