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Northern Ireland\u2019s Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill will be among a number of people interviewed by police over alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations at the funeral of a senior republican.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill will be among a number of people interviewed by police over alleged breaches of coronavirus regulations at the funeral of a senior republican.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill and other senior Sinn F\u00e9in members were among crowds who attended the funeral of Bobby Storey in west Belfast in June despite restrictions on public gatherings.<\/p>\n
The scenes at the height of the pandemic sparked outrage and calls for the Deputy First Minister to resign.<\/p>\n
A row with the DUP over the matter prompted the suspension of joint briefings with Sinn F\u00e9in during the health emergency.<\/p>\n
It emerged on Friday that 14 people have been sent letters asking them to attend voluntary interviews at a local PSNI station.<\/p>\n
A Sinn F\u00e9in spokesman confirmed on Saturday: \u201cMichelle O\u2019Neill and a number of the party\u2019s elected representatives received letters from the police yesterday asking them to present for voluntary interview.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will contact the police and co-operate with the investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The police probe is being led by Cumbria Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Ms O\u2019Neill acknowledged that Stormont\u2019s public health messaging capacity had been undermined by the row over the funeral.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t my intention this would happen, but it did, I accept this and I regret this is the case,\u201d she told RT\u00c9.<\/p>\n
\u201cI accept that we have not been able to deliver clear messaging in the format that was the practice before this controversy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile a separate independent probe over access to the Roselawn Cemetery on the day of the funeral when eight other families were denied access due to pandemic measures is ongoing.<\/p>\n