Northern Ireland

What new information did we learn from Mary Lou McDonald’s speech to the Dáil?

The Sinn Féin president sought to defend her party’s record on a series of scandals on Tuesday

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said parents of children with special needs in Co Monaghan have fought a long campaign to have a special school established in the county
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald (Brian Lawless/PA)
By Suzanne McGonagle

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald sought to defend her party’s record on a series of scandals on Tuesday.

Appearing before the Dáil, Ms McDonald sought to address issues relating to allegations made against individuals connected to the party.

So what new information did we learn from the Sinn Féin president?

- On September 11 2023, a Sinn Féin councillor received a complaint that an inappropriate message had been sent by Niall Ó Donnghaile to a 17-year-old male party member.

Niall O Donnghaile quit the Seanad last year
Niall O Donnghaile quit the Seanad last year (Brian Lawless/PA)

- The following day, the chairperson of Belfast Sinn Fein was informed of the complaint and a formal party procedure began.

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- During the investigation, Sinn Féin was told of a second individual - an adult - receiving inappropriate text messages from Mr Ó Donnghaile.

- Mr Ó Donnghaile was suspended from Sinn Féin on September 13 2023, in line with the party’s child protection guidelines, given the complainant was under 18. The issue was referred to the PSNI and social services in Northern Ireland.

- Police told Sinn Féin the young person was content with the actions taken by the party. There was no finding of illegality and no criminal charges were pursued.

- Sinn Féin held a meeting with Mr Ó Donnghaile on October 5 2023, in which he confirmed he would be resigning from the Seanad and the party.

- Party discussed concerns that publicly naming Mr Ó Donnghaile “would be dangerous to his health” after previously being told he was suffering from a mental health crisis.

During her address, Ms McDonald also discussed issues related to Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley. She also revealed:

- The party was contacted by the complainant on July 26 2024 and subsequently received a formal complaint against Mr Stanley.

- After informing Mr Stanley of the complaint, Ms McDonald said he “indicated his anxiety that there might be a complaint made against him” but did not elaborate on the nature of the complaint.

TD Brian Stanley has resigned from the party
Brian Stanley has resigned from Sinn Féin. PICTURE: NIALL CARSON/PA

- The Sinn Féin president said she was “unaware of the details of the complaint until last Saturday night”.

- She said the complaint made is “very serious” and relates to Mr Stanley’s personal behaviour during an incident in October 2023 that left the complainant “traumatised and distressed”.

- Mr Stanley raised a counter allegation against the complainant, which is also “very serious” and he was advised to go to the Gardai, which he chose not to.

- Sinn Féin referred all matters - the complaint and the counter allegation - to Gardai on October 13.