SF pays for O’neill’s official car at Storey funeral
SINN Fein has reimbursed the taxpayer for the cost of an official car used to transport Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill to the funeral of leading IRA man Bobby Storey last year.
News of the cash clawback came in an official response yesterday to a Stormont question from TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister.
A written response signed by both First Minister Arlene Foster and Mrs O’neill said: “The Deputy First Minister was conveyed to the funeral of Mr Storey on 30 June, 2020 in an official Executive car.
“The cost to the department associated with this was £119.87, which has been reimbursed in full.”
Last night Mr Allister said: “I wonder would it ever have been paid back if TUV hadn’t pursued the issue?”
The massive public funeral of the IRA leader brought thousands of people onto the streets of west Belfast despite the lockdown due to the first wave of coronavirus.
Many senior Sinn Fein figures were present, including party leader Mary Lou Mcdonald and its former president Gerry Adams.
The funeral provoked a public outcry, sparking PSNI and Belfast City Council probes into the circumstances surrounding the event.
A PSNI investigation into potential breaches of coronavirus regulations at the funeral involved the interviewing of 24 people — among them the Deputy First Minister.
A file has been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for consideration. A decision has yet to be announced.