Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill apologises for going to ex-IRA member's funeral during COVID (2024)

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has apologised for going to the funeral of a senior IRA member while COVID restrictions were in place.

Ms O'Neill, who was deputy first minister at the time, signalled her remorse for her actions during the latest hearings at the coronavirus inquiry.

In June 2020, Ms O'Neill went to the funeral of Bobby Storey who joined the IRA as a teenager and was arrested numerous times.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill apologises for going to ex-IRA member's funeral during COVID (1)

He was supportive of the peace process in Northern Ireland, and later served as Sinn Fein's northern party chair.

The 64-year-old died following a failed lung transplant, with a funeral taking place in Belfast.

Politics latest: UK to build new warships

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill apologises for going to ex-IRA member's funeral during COVID (2)

Thousands gathered for the procession - including many Sinn Fein politicians - and there was vocal criticism from political rivals claiming COVID regulations were breached.

More on Covid Inquiry

  • Welsh minister Hannah Blythyn sacked over leaked text message
  • Arlene Foster defends pandemic leadership and says 'offensive' to say Northern Ireland sleepwalked into COVID
  • Vaughan Gething: Wales's first minister 'entirely relaxed' after being accused of misleading COVID Inquiry

Related Topics:

  • COVID inquiry
  • COVID-19
  • IRA
  • Michelle O'Neill
  • Northern Ireland
  • Sinn Fein

Speaking to the inquiry, Ms O'Neill said: "I know that my actions also angered the families and for that I'm truly sorry. I am sorry for going and I'm sorry for the harm that's been caused after (it).

Following questioning, Ms O'Neill said she did not think her actions would have sparked anger at the time "but I ought to have".

Advertisem*nt

"I've said it publicly on a number of occasions about how sorry I am and I am absolutely, from the bottom of my heart, sorry.

"I do accept wholeheartedly that I in some way damaged our Executive relations with colleagues who had been working very hard with me the whole way through, and I also accept wholeheartedly that I damaged the public health messaging and I had work to do to regain that."

"Sorry" no longer the hardest word for Northern Ireland's first minister

David Blevins

Senior Ireland correspondent

@skydavidblevins

Michelle O'Neill faced fierce criticism for attending the funeral of IRA leader Bobby Storey during the global pandemic.

With thousands lining the route, the then deputy first minister had breached the power-sharing government's own COVID restrictions.

At the time, Ms O'Neill, who is deputy leader of Sinn Fein, said she would "never apologise for attending the funeral of a friend".

Four years later, and sorry no longer seems to be the hardest word for Northern Ireland's first minister.

She asked if she could address bereaved relatives directly but was told she was there to give evidence.

Not once, but twice, the first minister said she was "sorry" – "sorry from the bottom of my heart".

During the pandemic, unionists preferred to take their lead from Westminster, but nationalists looked to the Irish government.

But Ms O'Neill told the inquiry she "absolutely refutes" any suggestion she was playing politics during the pandemic.

A subsequent report found the Police Service of Northern Ireland prioritised public safety over coronavirus restrictions at the funeral - but did so without showing bias.

Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

At the time, Ms O'Neill said she would never apologise for attending the funeral of a "friend".

She faced calls to stand aside from unionist politicians, including Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister.

Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free

He said at the time: "In light of the fact that Ms O'Neill is today present with many hundreds of others at the funeral of Bobby Storey her position is untenable.

"Her conduct is grossly offensive and insulting to the many law-abiding people who have made the huge sacrifice of foregoing a normal funeral as they said farewell to family members who died recently."

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill apologises for going to ex-IRA member's funeral during COVID (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 6489

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.