Steve Aiken: It wasn’t just one Sinn Fein representative showing flagrant disregard for Covid guidance, but all the party’s leaders

What we saw at the funeral of top IRA man, Bobby Storey, were the leaders of the republican movement showing a flagrant disregard for public health guidance.
By Steve Aiken
Published 1st Jul 2020, 00:01 BST
(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill alongside other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill alongside other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill alongside other senior party members including Conor Murphy at the funeral of the IRA leader Bobby Storey in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The actions by Michelle O’Neill in particular, demonstrate contempt for the coronavirus regulations and the general public.

There are families across Northern Ireland who have been left distraught as the wakes and funerals which would normally accompany the death of a loved one have been drastically curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the draconian measures which had to be brought in to deal with it.

Yet Sinn Fein seem to think this does’t apply to them.

The funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Store arrives at St Agnes' Church in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA WireThe funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Store arrives at St Agnes' Church in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The funeral procession of the IRA leader Bobby Store arrives at St Agnes' Church in west Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
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This wasn’t just one individual Sinn Fein elected representative involved; it involved all leaders of the republican movement, both elected and unelected.

It is hard to see how Michelle O’Neill can now stand at an executive press conference with any credibility, integrity and authority and ask the people of Northern Ireland to listen to her.

Any normal political leader would be considering their position. If people were angry at Dominic Cummings, they should also be angry at Michelle O’Neill.

Despite the hypocrisy demonstrated by Sinn Fein politicians I would appeal to the public of Northern Ireland to listen to the health minister.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor
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We are not through this pandemic, the virus is still here and everyone should abide by the public health guidance.

It will help save lives.

Steve Aiken MLA, Ulster Unionist leader

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Related topics:Sinn FeinMichelle O'NeillNorthern IrelandSteve AikenIRADominic Cummings