Why was Bobby Storey’s funeral so controversial?

Immediately following the funeral, both the party and Ms O’Neill maintained they acted within the guidelines at all times and broke no rules.

In statements to the Irish News and Stormont’s Executive Committee, she did not apologise for any of her actions, with the exception of the photograph.

Sinn Féin gave her its full backing, saying she would not stand down “under any circumstances”.

Ms O’Neill later issued a statement expressing concern for families of those who had died in the pandemic whose grief would have been compounded by lockdown restrictions.

“Not being able to have their family and friends’ support to help them through was hugely difficult,” she said.

“I am also concerned that those grieving families are experiencing more hurt over recent days. I am sorry for that.”

She reiterated that she had kept to the rules, adding: “If the regulations had prevented me from attending his funeral I would have obeyed those regulations.”

Her party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, told RTÉ: “I do understand that looking at the images of very busy pathways in west Belfast and taking all of that in obviously has jolted and has caused some hurt among some of those families, and for that I am very sorry.

“That certainly would never have been my intention, or Michelle’s intention, or the intention of the Storey family as they laid Bobby to rest.”

In September 2020, Ms O’Neill acknowledged Stormont’s public health messaging was “undermined” by the controversy.

Following the announcement in March 2021 that nobody would be prosecuted in relation to the funeral, she apologised again “for the hurt that has been caused to so many, including to Bobby Storey’s own family who have been thrust into the headlines at a time of immense grief”.