Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Once again there are reports of a large Republican funeral – this time in Lenadoon Avenue – flouting the laws which have been brought in to combat the spread of the virus. This 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 member who died recently.
“Police are adding to the pain of these people by failing to act swiftly and robustly when Republicans act as if they are above the law. A week after the events in Ballinderry there are no reports of arrests or fines in spite of numerous photographs of the funeral online with many of those in attendance clearly identifiable.
“Now we have allegations that police sat in their vehicle while 400 to 500 Republicans ignored social distancing guidance at a west Belfast funeral yesterday afternoon.
“I am calling on the PSNI to immediately clarify what happened yesterday and, if media reports are accurate, what they have done and intend to do to enforce the law. Furthermore, they need to urgently tell the public what action they have taken in relation to the funeral in Ballinderry.
“It is also time that the Justice Minister spelt out clearly that the police and courts will be used to go after those involved in breaking the law at funerals like this.
“While the process may have taught Republicans that they are above the law – able to murder Paul Quinn without consequences and produce OTR letters which protect them from prosecutions for crimes committed during their campaign of terror – it would be outrageous if the PSNI were not to act in these instances.
“When I voted for the regulations to be bought in I did so in the belief that they applied to everyone. It is about time the PSNI took the same view.”