SF and DUP split over re-opening of graveyards as forest parks open gates again despite coronavirus lockdown

Whilst DUP leader Arlene Foster believes that they should be re-opened on a controlled basis, regional Sinn Fein chief Michelle O’Neill indicated that the time had not yet come to consider easing restrictions.

It comes after Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said a pensioner had impaled themselves on railings whilst trying to climb in to visit his wife’s grave.

The Department of Health was yesterday experiencing technical problems with its daily tally of deaths.

But with an additional nine people with coronavirus confirmed dead in Northern Ireland since Monday, this would take the toll to 216.

Speaking about graveyards last night, Mrs Foster said: “We also have to acknowledge thge wider harm that’s going on in society as a result of covid-19’s other issues – and this is one of those.”

She said her view is they should open with limited hours and with social distancing being observed, and this will be discussed at the Executive.

Michelle O’Neill on the other hand stressed “we are still in the middle of a pandemic”, saying: “Yesterday, 90 people across this island lost their lives. We’re not out the other side of this yet, so we have to focus very much on the public health message which is to stay at home and only go out if you need to.

“So despite all thge sensitivities, which we fully understand... this is for the public interest.

“As soon as we’re in a position to lift the restrictions then that’s what we will do.”

It comes as many of Northern Ireland’s forest and country parks have been reopened to pedestrians despite the original coronavirus lockdown due to last until

the end of May.

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said a string of parks including Crawfordsburn, Roe Valley and Castle Archdale can now be opened to pedestrians due to the “remarkable way” the public has responded to the strict social distancing measures.

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