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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Brendan Hughes

Michelle O’Neill responds to no prosecution decision over Bobby Storey funeral

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has responded to the decision not to pursue any prosecutions over alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions at the funeral of Bobby Storey.

The Sinn Fein vice-president said she was "sorry for the hurt that has been caused to so many" including Mr Storey's family.

Ms O’Neill said she has "worked tirelessly to rebuild trust" since the controversy over the funeral in west Belfast.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has decided not to prosecute 24 people, including Ms O'Neill, over attending the funeral on June 30 last year.

In a statement following the decision, Ms O'Neill said: "Nine months ago I laid my dear friend Bobby Storey to rest. I accept and understand that many people, particularly those who had lost loved ones during the last year, felt that by my actions, I gave the impression that the rules did not apply to us all equally. Let me say clearly they do.

"No funeral is more important than any other. No family or community is any more important than any other. All grief is devastating.

"I wish to say again today that I am sorry for the hurt that has been caused to so many, including to Bobby Storey's own family who have been thrust into the headlines at a time of immense grief. We wanted only to support Bobby's family as he was laid to rest.

"Over the past nine months, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild trust with the public and I continue to work every day to navigate us all through this unprecedented crisis.

"We are now beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel in relation to this dreadful pandemic. I will continue to focus on leading us to better days ahead."

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