Beattie hits out over ‘arrogance’ of ‘mass funeral’

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has hit out at the Deputy First Minster’s attendance at the funeral of leading republican Bobby Storey.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill during the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at the Republican plot at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 30, 2020. See PA story FUNERAL Storey. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA WireSinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill during the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at the Republican plot at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 30, 2020. See PA story FUNERAL Storey. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (left) and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill during the funeral of senior Irish Republican and former leading IRA figure Bobby Storey at the Republican plot at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 30, 2020. See PA story FUNERAL Storey. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Mr Beattie said: “The coronavirus pandemic has robbed many families of the ability to say farewell to their loved ones, stand at the graveside and pay their respects or even visit elderly relatives in residential care homes or hospitals.

“All measures designed to protect us from this awful virus and all measures placed on us by the First and Deputy First Minister.

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“The sight yesterday of our DFM attending the mass funeral of Bobby Storey displays a palpable sense of arrogance and privilege from the Sinn Fein leader. As she asked us to make sacrifices she was not prepared to do similar and pictures of the Minister taking selfies at the funeral just add insult to injury.

“Michelle O’Neill has, though sheer belligerence, undermined the fight against this pandemic in Northern Ireland. She has lost credibility, integrity and the moral authority of her office and should step down immediately.

“I call on all our citizens to not follow the example of the dFM but to adhere to the guidance set out by our Health Minister. Do not gather in groups of more than 30 outside, remain socially distanced, continue the fight against Covid-19 in order to save lives.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has defended the attendance of several senior Sinn Féin politicians at the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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.”