Family of Abercorn bomb survivor call for Sinn Fein MLAs to step down

Relatives of an Abercorn bomb survivor have called for Sinn Fein elected representatives who attended Bobby Storey’s funeral this week to admit they were wrong.
Ethan with his brothers, uncle and Grandfather.Ethan with his brothers, uncle and Grandfather.
Ethan with his brothers, uncle and Grandfather.

The loved ones of Ballynure man, Thomas McFarlane, issued the plea today (Thursday) after they adhered to strict Covid-19 restrictions when they mourned his death last month.

Mr McFarlane, who was caught up in the Abercorn restaurant bombing in 1972, passed away after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 on June 8.

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His funeral, which had a small number of people in attendance, took place at his Toberdowney Drive home on June 11.

Thomas McFarlane (centre) pictured in the aftermath of the Abercorn bombing. Pic supplied by Ethan Campbell.Thomas McFarlane (centre) pictured in the aftermath of the Abercorn bombing. Pic supplied by Ethan Campbell.
Thomas McFarlane (centre) pictured in the aftermath of the Abercorn bombing. Pic supplied by Ethan Campbell.

Thomas’ grandson Ethan Campbell (21) said: “Our family were devastated that we couldn’t have a full funeral as Granda was well known in Ballynure and Ballyclare.

“He visited multiple coffee shops every day and spent hours going on long walks and interacting with the public. Therefore, although some people socially distanced outside their houses on the Lismenary Road as the hearse drove by, I am certain that not everyone who knew my Granda attended the funeral due to the pandemic.

“I am the oldest grandson and I did not shake hands with people as they paid their respects - we all had to abide by what the Government had preached to us. We believed there were no exceptions to this.”

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Mr Campbell, who is currently studying in Scotland, made a number of sacrifices to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

He explained: “I attend Stirling University. As soon as my Granda died, I told my family that I didn’t think I’d be able to make it back for the funeral due to the current circumstances.

“After research online, I discovered that I could travel by ferry as long as I socially distanced. So my girlfriend and I travelled by ferry with the car at 4am and slept in the garage on air beds so that we wouldn’t come into contact with people in the house.

“After the funeral, we drove back to Scotland later that night as we knew that staying over in my family home would put others at risk of catching the coronavirus. Also given my mother’s medical conditions, she is one of the people who are high risk during this pandemic.”

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Urging Sinn Fein MLAs who attended Bobby Storey’s funeral in west Belfast on Tuesday to step down, the Larne man asked Michelle O’Neill, Gerry Adams and other Sinn Fein ministers who attended this funeral, to do the decent thing and accept they were wrong.

“The best thing they can do is to step down. As far as me and my family are concerned, they have showed that they are not a party for the people, but a party for themselves,”Mr Campbell said.

“What makes this hurt even more for our family is that my Granda was in the Abercorn restaurant bombing in 1972. A suspected IRA bombing that Bobby Storey may have been involved in.

“My Granda lived with PTSD all his life due to this. I remember going to restaurants with my Granda and he was adamant that he would sit where he could face the door.”

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