Questions asked about ‘social distancing’ after crowds attend funeral of republican Francie McNally

Pictures of the event have appeared on social media.

In a post on Facebook Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council DUP Councillor John Finlay said: “So much for social distancing and only family members being allowed to attend a family funeral.

“Here is the funeral of Francie McNally in Balinderry Coagh yesterday on his way to Balinderry chapel getting a full republican funeral.

“Roads closed and at least 200 people in attendance.

“Where is the police to issue fines to most of these people?

“I wouldn’t call this one daily exercise or going to the shop for essentials”.

Councillor Robert Colvin, the Ulster Unionist Party’s representative for the Torrent area of Mid Ulster also criticised the funeral in which he claimed that social distancing measures were completely ignored.

Councillor Robert Colvin said: “This a very difficult time for everyone, not least those who lose a loved one and are faced with the prospect of organising a funeral.

“In a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus and ease the burden on our NHS staff, restrictions have been placed on public gatherings, including funerals.

“Regrettably these restrictions were completely ignored at the funeral of prominent republican Francie McNally in Ballinderry earlier this week which was attended by a very big number of people.

“There is little point in Michelle O’Neill speaking at press conferences urging social distancing if republicans in her home county are going to assemble in large numbers in complete defiance of her advice.

“This event also raises questions as to what the police are doing. I cannot imagine such a gathering being permitted in Portrush or Bangor, so why should it be allowed in Ballinderry?”

Meanwhile TUV Leader Jim Allister issued a statement saying he has today written to the PSNI Chief Constable making him aware of the crowds attending Mr McNally’s funeral.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to photographs on social media of what is reported to be the funeral of former Sinn Fein councillor Francie McNally in Ballinderry on Wednesday 8th April.

“It would appear that, in defiance of the current law banning gathering of people even for the purposes of funerals, quite a number or men attended this funeral dressed in a fashion which appears to have followed the pattern of recent PIRA funerals.

“Assuming the reports on social media are accurate I write to ask how many officers were on the ground at the funeral, what action was taken to prevent the breaking of the law including details of how many fines were issued and finally if no action was taken at the time how police are currently planning to trace those who broke the law by attending the funeral given that at least some of them are clearly identifiable by the posts on social media.

“I note that the fact that the law appears to have been defied in this instance has understandably caused considerable hurt to those who have complied with the law while burying their loved ones. For that reason alone I believe it is of the utmost importance that the PSNI act swiftly to clear this matter up and, if the reports are accurate, bring to justice those who have flouted the law at a time of national and international emergency”.

Mr McNally was a former Sinn Fein Councillor from Balinderry and a bar owner.

Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill expressed her condolences following Mr McNally’s death.

The Sinn Fein statement said that Mr McNally from Derrychrin, Coagh, passed away in the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, on Monday.

It added that he had represented the Ballinderry area on the former Cookstown District Council in the 1980s.

Mrs O’Neill said: “I was saddened to hear of the death of Francie McNally. Francie was a Sinn Féin councillor from 1985 to 1989 and served the people during very difficult and challenging times.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends and all who knew him at this time.”

A post on Funeral Times says that Mr McNally from Ballinderry/Moortown died on April 6 at Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.

His remains left his family home on Wednesday 8th April at 10.15am for burial at St Patricks Church Ballinderry.

The post adds that a funeral mass will take place at The Church of the Immaculate Conception Moortown at a later date.

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