Coronavirus: DUP warning after large Belfast Sandy Row funeral

The funeral took place in the Sandy Row area of south Belfast. Pic Google

John Breslin

September 28 2020 09:30 PM

The DUP has urged people to abide by rules on gatherings and social distancing after it emerged scores of mourners packed the narrow streets of south Belfast for the funeral of a popular local figure.

Members of the Apprentice Boys acted as an honour guard as the coffin holding Herbert 'Herby' Hutton was taken from his home in the Sandy Row area of the city.

They also acted as pallbearers as the coffin made its way through the streets on September 15.

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Images from the funeral, showing the honour guard and a street packed with people, were posted on the Boyne Bridge Defenders Facebook pages, with the comment that "restrictions did not prevent many people gathering for the funeral".

DUP MLA Christopher Stalford did not attend the funeral, the party said, adding that he is recovering from an illness and was hospitalised at the time.

But the party added: "No one is above the law. The regulations passed by the Executive apply equally to everyone in Northern Ireland. The rules on gatherings exist to protect life. We urge everyone to abide by them."

Members of the Apprentice Boys stood guard as the coffin was removed from Mr Hutton's home off Blythe Street.

Dozens of people, potentially close to a hundred, followed the coffin as it was carried through the streets, including by members of the organisation. Few wore masks.

The Apprentice Boys did not respond to a request for comment. Mr Hutton, a father-of-six, was a member of the Sandy Row Mitchelburne Apprentice Boys' Club.

In a post on social media, the Boyne Bridge Defenders said: "Today was the funeral of a true son of Sandy Row. An Apprentice Boy and Boyne Bridge Defender.

"The restrictions did not prevent many people gathering for the funeral of Herby Hutton, who felt they had to be there to honour the memory of Herby.

"The members of his Sandy Row Mitchelburne Apprentice Boys' Club provided a guard of honour outside the family home in Sandy Row.

"Members stood in prayer and gave the Apprentice Boys' salute before the funeral cortege moved off headed by a lone piper.

"Although this is a very sad day, it should also inspire us and join the Apprentice Boys' cry of 'No Surrender'."

Coronavirus: DUP warning after large Belfast Sandy Row funeral

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