N Ireland priest calls for unity after journalist’s death

One priest and a journalist shot dead by Irish Republican dissidents have shaken Northern Ireland’s stagnant political system.

A priest who received a standing ovation for criticising politicians at a Northern Ireland funeral has appealed for more movement towards unity.

Father Martin Magill made his comments to Al Jazeera before local council elections this week. He has received a groundswell of support after asking why it took the funeral of a female journalist killed by dissident Republicans for politicians to come together, two years after a power-sharing agreement broke down.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Simmons reports from Northern Ireland.