Pressure continues for Michelle O'Neill to step aside following republican funeral

Widespread anger at Sinn Fein's disgraceful role in the orchestrated breach of the executives rules on funerals on Tuesday demands decisive action by the first minister.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Jul 2, 2020           Good afternoon   The fall-out from the attendance of deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill and other Sinn Fein ministers at the funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey shows no signs of abating.   On Thursday, every other party in the Stormont Executive called on Ms O'Neill to stand down amidst the claims that coronavirus guidelines were not adhered to during the funeral in west Belfast earlier this week.    The planned joint appearance by first minister Arlene Foster and Ms O'Neill at Stormont on Thursday afternoon to discuss the battle with Covid-19 was cancelled with Mrs Foster having called on Ms O'Neill to stand down as deputy first minister until the outcome of a police investigation is known.    However, Ms O'Neill has the backing of her own party, with president Mary Lou McDonald, who also attended the funeral, insisting that she has the full backing of her own party.    Meanwhile, the wearing of masks on public transport in Northern Ireland is soon to become mandatory. Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon confirmed on Thursday that the Executive has approved the mandatory wearing of face coverings in the Province from July 10.    Stay safe,   Alistair Bushe, Editor   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           David McNarry: Sorry is not good enough — there cannot be exemptions for deliberate, disgraceful breaches of lockdown rules           Widespread anger at Sinn Fein's disgraceful role in the orchestrated breach of the executives rules on funerals on Tuesday demands decisive action by the first minister.                 Storey funeral: Actions of politicians 'could make our job as undertakers harder'   A Northern Irish funeral director who sits on a UK-wide industry body has said that the actions of Michelle O'Neill could make undertakers' jobs harder still.           Bereaved politicians who lost fathers during pandemic speak out after controversial funeral scenes   A recently-bereaved DUP MLA has said the sight of so many people at Bobby Storey's funeral in west Belfast on Tuesday only worsens the pain felt by people who – like him – held small funerals for their relatives.           Half of NI firms plan to reduce staff levels after lockdown – survey   Half of all firms in Northern Ireland intend to reduce staff levels following lockdown, a survey shows.           Anxious about lockdown easing? Try these tips from experts on how to cope   The thought of returning to our old schedules is causing stress for many people. What can be done to combat this as we emerge from lockdown?           Residents walk and cycle on fundraising virtual 230-mile tour of six NI care homes   A Presbyterian care home has shown its gratitude for the many acts of kindness residents received during the coronavirus pandemic with a fundraising virtual trek around the church's other care homes in the Province.           Helping children with lockdown emotions   Parents of children struggling with their emotions during lockdown are being urged to avail of free help through a therapy character called Ollie.                 View more on Coronavirus

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