CATHOLIC primate Archbishop Eamon Martin has insisted the PSNI should not be called in to police funerals after a republican colour party accompanying a hearse sparked outrage for flouting coronavirus restrictions.
Police are preparing a file to submit to prosecutors after pictures emerged of black-gloved republicans marching alongside a horse and carriage carrying former Sinn Féin councillor Francie McNally's coffin to the graveyard in Coagh, Co Tyrone.
Churches have effectively banned services in their buildings and drastically reduced the number of mourners permitted at graveside ceremonies to enforce Covid-19 social distancing rules.
St Patrick's Church, Ballinderry parish priest Fr Patrick Donnelly insisted he had been unaware of the elaborate procession and the burial had been a small private family affair.
"There has been no service. I want to make that clear. It has been deferred until a later time.
"Ten family members were present at the cemetery with myself and the gravediggers. It was nothing other than what one would think. When the coffin arrived there were no flags on it. Prayers were said and that's as much as I can tell you about it.
"The church's guidance and the law of the land were followed. I know nothing about beforehand. There hasn't been a funeral and there won't be in this parish until, please God, restrictions are lifted."
Mid Ulster District Commander Superintendent Mike Baird said officers had spoken to Mr McNally's family and the priest before the burial "to stress the public health advice and risks around Covid-19 and the requirement for social distancing to be adhered to for those family members attending".
"The family had assured us that only family members would be in attendance, and that local people may pay their respects as the funeral cortege passed, by coming out into their gardens or the front of their homes.
"It is very disappointing to see some people blatantly ignored health advice and breached current legislation by attending the funeral and, in doing so, they not only put themselves at risk but also put at risk close family members of the deceased and those officiating at the funeral.
"An investigation is underway, evidence is being gathered and a file is being prepared for submission to the Public Prosecution Service for any breaches of Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020."
He asked for people to pass on "any imagery or footage" or the identities of "those who contravened the regulations and put other lives at risk".
Archbishop Martin had earlier insisted it is "the community first of all" who should `police' such gatherings.
"If you're going to start sending for police and everything like that (at) a very, very emotive moment like a funeral? I really think that responsibility rests with all of us," he told Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.
"All we can do is appeal to everyone to please respect the messages that are going out from their health authorities and our leaders in government."
DUP MLA Keith Buchanan said the "vast majority of families have complied with the regulations, despite the additional pain this will have added to their grieving process".
He said "ultimately there will be a responsibility upon police to take some form of action".
"This was not even a spontaneous gathering of family or friends. There was an organised party of men accompanying the coffin alongside a relatively large gathering of other people in attendance."
A Sinn Féin spokesman said while the "unprecedented public health emergency has created enormous difficulties for families who have lost loved ones... everyone should follow the public health guidelines on gatherings and physical distancing."
