The daughter of a west Belfast great-grandmother who died during the Covid-19 pandemic has called for Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill to resign over her actions at a republican funeral.
Allison Cordner said she had been "traumatised" by the presence of the Sinn Féin vice-president at the Bobby Storey funeral last week, which drew huge crowds to Andersonstown despite the pandemic.
Large crowds also gathered at Milltown’s republican plot where a ceremony took place, however Mr Storey’s remains were then taken to Roselawn Crematorim in east Belfast.
Belfast city council has since apologised after it emerged that the service at Roselawn last Tuesday was the only one of nine that day where 30 people were allowed to attend an outdoor service on site.
The other eight were not allowed services at the site.
Following the funeral, there have been increased calls for Michelle O'Neill, who was also pictured taking a selfie, breaching social distancing guidelines, to resign.
Speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Ms Cordner said she had been left "heartbroken" at not being able to grant her dying mother's last wishes because of the pandemic and the advice issued by ministers including Ms O'Neill.
Her mother, Noreen Smart, who was 80 and lived at Tearmann Fold on the Andersonstown Road, died on April 14, 18 months after she had been diagnosed with Esophageal varices.
The pensioner, who had worked as an auxiliary nurse, passed away with just her daughter, Allison by her side.
The 54-year-old had had to move into the fold to care for her mother due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Allison said none of her mother's friends or family members had been allowed in to see her and say goodbye.
"No service was allowed," she said.
"She wasn't allowed to be home. We were told we were not allowed to go to Roselawn Cemetery. We gathered in the street and people had to keep their distance. Outside the fold, none of us could console each other. It was horrendous.
"In the end, the funeral director said a prayer over the coffin. We were not allowed to lift it or touch it.
"They said we could follow up to Roselawn. I had to watch my mummy's coffin going in on her own and she was cremated on her own with no ceremony".
Allison said her mother, who was originally from the Falls Road, had final wishes that could not be granted.
Having lost a son, Dominic in infancy, Noreen had always requested that the spray from the top of her coffin be laid on her deceased son's grave however, it was not allowed leaving Allison "heartbroken".
The Holywood woman said she has "nightmares" about her mother's remains going into Roselawn on her own.
"I am still traumatised," she said.
"It is just unforgivable".
Allison said the Deputy First Minister's actions had "brought it all back".
"It is just ridiculous," she said.
"How on earth that woman has any credibility is beyond me.
"It is like laughing in the face of me and my family. We complied by every rule they laid down to the point of almost being terrified of stepping out of line.
"My mother was an angel. My mother was a caring person. I am still in pain about it all.
"She needs to resign and I am appalled she is getting away with this".
