This priest called out NI politicians at Lyra McKee’s funeral but some people appreciated it more than others
People loved the address made by priest Father Martin Magill at the funeral of Lyra McKee, who asked why it had taken the murder of the journalist to bring Northern Irish politicians together.
A very uncomfortable, for the politicians, but absolutely fair question is asked at Lyra McKee’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/IIWZ3u13cQ
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) April 24, 2019
“Why does it take the death of a 29-year-old woman with her whole life in front of her to get to this point?”
The priest received a standing ovation at the funeral for his speech which also went viral on Twitter.
Except some people appeared to appreciate his sentiment more than others, with a lot of attention was drawn to the reaction of DUP leader Arlene Foster. Here are a few of the things people were saying about it.
Suddenly, shockingly, I find myself in tears watching this.
— bob (@sacamano25) April 24, 2019
I do hope they watch themselves on the news. The awkward awareness that they're being called out, the uncertainty whether to join in the clapping, the realisation that can't just sit it out… https://t.co/5cIMZP9YmN
— Tom Sutcliffe (@tds153) April 24, 2019
Just take a look at the gob on Foster when he says it and the reaction it gets…..
— Kev McDempster (@KevMcDempster) April 24, 2019
Oh yes. Epic moment that she could have been part of but instead . . .
— Lorraine Statham (@StathamLorraine) April 24, 2019
@MarinaHyde‘s description of Arlene Foster is perfect and on full display here; “all the warmth of the matriarch of a remote farm who retains the passports of her labourers”.
— bibbily boy (@corkintheocean) April 24, 2019
On top of the obvious embarassment, Foster is probably the only person in that entire church who not only wants Brexit, but who is trying to force it on everyone surrounding her.
— Humanpencil #FBPE #ISUI #STAUFFENBERG (@humanpencil) April 24, 2019
This exchange might say it best.
Arlene Foster's shit clapping. Oh my, Arlene Foster's shit clapping. https://t.co/SN3kgrT0Ha
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) April 24, 2019
Oh God, yes, last to stand and a grudging little tap-tap-tap on the back of her hand. This tells you all you need to know about their godforsaken political class. Dreadful.
— David Banks (@DBanksy) April 24, 2019
Do you really think so? How is she meant to respond to a standing ovation for an extremely effective attack that has quite brilliantly humiliated her in the most public fashion? I actually thought she handled it quite well.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) April 24, 2019
Don’t draw attention to yourself. Adjust your face. Stand up with everyone else. Clap like a normal person. Don’t give the impression that you would like the gates of Hell to open beneath the speaker.
— David Banks (@DBanksy) April 24, 2019
I mean I honestly thought she did her absolute best not to draw attention to herself. The Priest has essentially said “Arlene Foster is a complete wanker” and the crowd went wild. Arlene Foster’s options in such circumstances are extremely limited.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) April 24, 2019
The priest was addressing all the politicians there, including Varadker, May, Bradley. It was a call to grow up and do the right thing. They all looked like recalcitrant children. None has an easy job. All must do better in NI.
— Shelagh Fogarty (@ShelaghFogarty) April 24, 2019