Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SF anger at Storey banner21 beside Roselawn Cemetery Helen’s got flower power
Cllr says let family grieve as police probe ‘hate crime’
SINN Fein has hit out after a banner “gloating” at the death of Bobby Storey appeared at Roselawn Cemetery.
Its leader on Belfast City Council Ciaran Beattie said the message echoed other similar placards that were placed on some bonfires on the Eleventh Night.
Mr Beattie added: “In the early hours of this morning a sectarian banner was erected at the entrance to Roselawn with an apparent gloating reference to the death of our friend and party colleague, Bobby Storey.
“This latest incident follows on from a series of repugnant banners which were placed on loyalist bonfires mocking his death.
“This ongoing campaign being orchestrated by faceless trolls and thugs targeting a grieving family must cease immediately.
“I am calling on unionist political and community leaders to show leadership and to condemn those involved. The Storey family, like all other families, deserve to grieve the loss of their loved one in peace.”
The news emerged in the wake of controversy over social distancing at Mr Storey’s funeral and the manner in which his subsequent cremation was carried out.
An independent investigation has been ordered by Belfast Council into its handling of the cremation.
A spokesman said yesterday: “A banner with sectarian language was attached to railings at Roselawn Cemetery and was discovered by council staff as they arrived for work on Friday morning.
“The banner was removed and the incident has been reported to the PSNI.”
Chief Inspector Jonathan Wilson added: “Police enquiries are ongoing and we are treating this matter as being hate motivated.
“Should available evidence reach the criminal law threshold, and where offenders are identified, we will refer them to the PPS.”