Michelle O’Neill has apologised for attending the funeral of Bobby Storey at a time when COVID-19 lockdown rules were in place. 

The former IRA volunteer died in June 2020 and his funeral in Belfast was attended by hundreds of mourners - including then-Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and Gerry Adams. 

At the time, only 30 people were allowed to attend funerals in Northern Ireland. 

File photo of a crowd listening to former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams speak during the funeral of Bobby Storey. Picture by: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images

Under questioning at the UK Covid Inquiry today, the First Minister apologised to those who were upset by her actions. 

“No family should ever have to go through what these families went through,” she said. 

“I also know equally that my actions compounded the hurt and that horrible experience that those families went through. 

“I also know that my actions also angered the families and for that I am truly sorry. 

“I am sorry for going and I am sorry for the hurt that’s been caused after that and I want to make that statement very clear on the record again today.”

Following the funeral, Deputy McDonald also apologised if her attendance "caused some hurt" to those who had lost loved ones during lockdown.

PSNI decided not to take action against mourners at the funeral.

Main image: Michelle O'Neill during the funeral of Bobby Storey at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast, 01-07-2020. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images