Bobby Storey funeral: Hundreds gather in west Belfast
Sinn Fein leadership among crowds
Last updated 30th Jun 2020
Hundreds of mourners have gathered in west Belfast for the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey.
The former IRA member died earlier this month aged 64 after an unsuccessful lung transplant.
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, vice president Michelle O'Neill and former president Gerry Adams were among hundreds in the Andersonstown Road area on Tuesday morning.
Finance minister Conor Murphy, North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly and Donegal TD Pearse Doherty were among other high-profile figures from the party in attendance.
The cortege left Mr Storey's home and travelled to St Agnes' church while the coffin was draped in an Irish tricolour.
A guard of honour was formed for Mr Storey outside the church.
Meanwhile the Health Minister has expressed concern about a potential "breakdown'' in social distancing compliance at the event.
Robin Swann was asked about the large crowds when he appeared before the Assembly's Health Committee on Tuesday.
"I have concerns in regards to a breakdown or people failing to observe the guidance that the executive has given collectively over the past 14 weeks,'' he said.
"Because one of the things that has worked for Northern Ireland is our executive standing together and giving a consistent message that the people of Northern Ireland have followed.
"Because some of the measures we asked them to undertake were draconian, we said that from the beginning.
"But the people of Northern Ireland followed the advice and the guidance and that's why we are where we are today.
"My concern is that if there's anything that undermines the general public's confidence in the guidance that's coming out from the executive, from the members of this health committee... anything that undermines that advice and guidance does concern me.''
Mr Swann said his priority was ensuring Northern Ireland could cope with a second wave of Covid 19.
"There's no person, there's no point of privilege that puts anyone above the guidance,'' he said.
DUP deputy committee chairwoman Pam Cameron had asked Mr Swann about the issue.
"Are you worried on the back of evidence seen today from large funerals being held in Belfast and members of this House attending those funerals,'' she asked.
"I am looking at pictures and I am not seeing social distancing, I am not seeing masks, I am seeing large crowds spectating very close together and I am very concerned that we will lose any type of compliance from the public on the back of these types of incidents."
Earlier, Mr Swann told members the pandemic was not over.
He was responding to remarks made by Alliance committee member Paula Bradshaw who, during her questioning of the minister, said Northern Ireland was "through the far side of the pandemic pretty much''.
"We're not,'' he replied.
"This pandemic is still there, this virus is still in Northern Ireland, this virus is still across the United Kingdom.''
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride also made clear that the health emergency was not over.
He said Northern Ireland was only at the "end of the beginning'' as he warned of the potential for further waves.
"I would just appeal to this committee not to send out a message that we are through the worst of this pandemic, we are up to the end of the beginning of this,'' he said.