Michelle O'Neill 'scrapped social distancing for a selfie in the cemetery' says Máiría Cahill

Former Sinn Féin party member, Máiría Cahill, has said deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill "scrapped social distancing for a selfie in the cemetery" while she attended the funeral of veteran Irish republican, Bobby Storey, in Belfast on Tuesday.
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Ms. Cahill was a party member between 1998 and 2001.

"Sinn Fein vice-president scrapped social distancing for a selfie in the cemetery today," tweeted Ms. Cahill.

The deputy First Minister has been widely criticised for her actions at the funeral of Bobby Storey in west Belfast.

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Mrs. O'Neill has defended her decision to attend the funeral and insisted she adhered to social distancing rules at all times.

However, an image of her standing side-by-side two men in Milltown Cemetery was shared on social media by Lucan Sinn Fein - the image has since been deleted.

"This image of Michelle O'Neill today (posted by Lucan SF) is breathtaking in its smiling disregard for what she tells us to do to save lives," tweeted News Letter Political Editor, Sam McBride.

"Yesterday she said mourners "should observe the public health advice". How is this any different to Dominic Cummings' eyesight expedition?," he added.

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The selfie image of Michelle O'Neill with two others at the funeral of Bobby Storey on Tuesday. (Photo: PA Wire)The selfie image of Michelle O'Neill with two others at the funeral of Bobby Storey on Tuesday. (Photo: PA Wire)
The selfie image of Michelle O'Neill with two others at the funeral of Bobby Storey on Tuesday. (Photo: PA Wire)

First Minister Arlene Foster, who has been sharing a podium with deputy Firs Minister O'Neill on an almost daily basis throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, has called on her to apologise.

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