Unionists in Northern Ireland have accused Sinn Fein of hypocrisy after a large crowd of mourners gathered for the funeral service of a former leading IRA member.

Bobby Storey, a 64-year-old veteran republican, died following an unsuccessful lung transplant earlier this month.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald, vice president Michelle O’Neill and former president Gerry Adams were among hundreds who gathered in the Andersonstown Road area on Tuesday morning.

The funeral procession started at Mr Storey’s home and made its way to St Agnes’ church in west Belfast.

The former IRA member’s coffin was draped in the Irish flag.

The size of the crowd drew immediate criticism from Sinn Fein’s political rivals amid claims of multiple breaches of coronavirus regulations limiting the size of public gatherings in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie compared Ms O’Neill’s public remarks on limiting numbers at funerals to her attendance at Tuesday’s service.

He tweeted: “Having watched families unable to attend funerals or be with their loved one as they passed away I think this undermines the credibility of our executive office.”

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