Bobby Storey: Report finds there was no republican ‘takeover’ of Roselawn

The independent report also rejected suggestions there had been a “takeover” of Roselawn cemetery.

The investigation looked into why Mr Storey’s relatives were treated differently to eight other families

Those families were not allowed to stand outside the crematorium at the cemetery, unlike the Storey family.

The report into the events in June 2020 was published today by barrister Peter Coll QC.

He said: “Having heard the evidence of the managerial level decision-makers involved, it appears to me that the evidence does not establish that the determining factor for the difference in treatment was Mr Storey’s status as a former senior member of Sinn Fein per se, nor that in some way Sinn Fein had applied pressure to have the change regarding committal services brought about to the benefit of the arrangements to be applied to the Storey cremation.

“It seems hypothetically possible that any other high-profile person or cremation could have had the same effect in the jigsaw of factors resulting in the earlier introduction of the change regarding committal services at the crematorium.

“The relevant decision-makers, essentially the Strategic Director for City and Neighbourhood Services and the CSM, have been adamant with me that in the making of the relevant decisions they did not actually realise that the practical reality in outcome was going to be that the other cremations were not going to get the same treatment as the Storey cremation.

“They further say that they had no intention to accord the Storey cremation special treatment nor for the differential in treatment to occur.”

In a joint statement the party leaders at Belfast City Council apologised to the public.

They said: “Belfast City Council unreservedly apologises to all families who were affected by events at Roselawn Cemetery on June 30, 2020.

“We recognise that what happened in the differential treatment was unacceptable and we apologise wholeheartedly and unreservedly.

“Party Group Leaders are now considering the findings and recommendations outlined in Mr Coll’s report. We will act swiftly to ensure that a repeat of such a situation occurring is avoided, and, that no other family would experience the hurt and pain of the families affected.

“The Council would like to reassure members of the public that we are determined that vital lessons are learned to ensure public confidence in our services.

“We acknowledge that the report has taken longer to complete than what was initially anticipated; however, it has been a complex and detailed investigation, made all the more challenging by the ongoing pandemic, and it was essential that the investigation was robust and thorough.”

Mr Storey died on 21 June last year. There has been long-running controversy about the events on the day of his funeral.

Thousands of people gathered in west Belfast to line the route from his home to the service at St Agnes’ Church on Andersonstown Road.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures were widely criticised for attending the funeral, with claims they broke coronavirus guidelines.

In December, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said an investigation into potential breaches of the rules has been completed and a file has been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service.