Michelle O’Neill defends attendance at Bobby Storey funeral - claiming it had taken place ‘in accordance’ with coronavirus guidelines

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has defended the attendance of several senior Sinn Féin politicians at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey.
(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill attending the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill attending the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey
(left to right) Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill attending the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey

Ms O’Neill said the funeral had taken place “in accordance” with coronavirus guidelines.

She was among hundreds of mourners in west Belfast on Tuesday.

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Current coronavirus regulations state a maximum of 30 people are allowed to gather together outdoors.

There has been widespread criticism of Ms O’Neill and her party colleagues who attended the funeral.

“It was all done in accordance with the guidelines,” Ms O’Neill told the Irish News.

She said the cortege had a “maximum of 30 people in it” and that the service at St Agnes’s Church had been “exemplary” in relation to social distancing and hygiene.

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Inside the church only three mourners shared a pew, she said.

The Sinn Féin vice-president added: “Regrettably a considerable number of family members were unable to take part in the cortege as a result of current restrictions, like many other families who have been unable to properly grieve or mourn the loss of a loved one in a traditional way as a result of the Covid crisis.

“These restrictions have been very difficult for families who have lost a loved one and particularly those who lost a loved one during the period when society was in lockdown.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Tuesday it would review footage of the funeral and “consider any suspected breaches of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020”.

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