Footage from the funeral is being reviewed by police for potential breaches of the Covid regulations, which currently state that in Northern Ireland funerals are limited to 25 people.
Speaking this morning, Mr Stanley said that people cannot be stopped from coming to the footpath to pay their respects.
“We can’t stop people from turning out on to the sidewalk to pay their respects when a funeral cortege is passing by. But the rules are the rules and, you know, we’re striving to implement them.
“There have been a lot of large funerals on this island, we had an unfortunate situation last year of the detective garda losing his life.”
Eamonn Peggy McCourt, a 62-year-old former IRA member from Creggan in the city, died in hospital at the weekend having reportedly contracted Covid-19.
Images that emerged online following his funeral on Monday showed a large crowd behind a hearse, which was flanked by two lines of mourners in white shirts and black ties.
The footage is being reviewed by police to identify any potential breaches of the regulations.
Police said the scenes were likely to be in breach of Covid regulations.
Police have confirmed that officers used body-worn cameras to record video at the funeral of the former IRA man in the city earlier this week.
Sinn Fein s Michelle O Neill dismisses DUP leader Arlene Foster s accusations that republicans get soft-touch approach from police
The Deputy First Minister also speaks to Belfast Live in a wide-ranging interview about Brexit, Irish unity and the challenges of self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic
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A Sinn Fein councillor hailed the controversial funeral of former IRA prisoner Eamon Peggy McCourt as a great send-off .
The PSNI is investigating the funeral in the Creggan area of Derry on Monday for breaches of Covid-19 regulations.
Tina Burke, who sits on Derry City and Strabane District Council, wrote on social media: Today we laid a stalwart of the Derry republican family to rest and Great send-off for an even greater man.
Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly has admitted two or three Sinn Fein councillors paid their respects from the roadside.
However, the party is staying silent on whether Ms Burke was among this number and has ignored questions on the matter.