The now independent councillor's decision leaves the party without representation in Laois/
Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley is ending her 27 year membership of Sinn Fein with immediate effect.
The Laois rep believes she and her family have been targeted by members of the party in the county.
Given how the party leadership dealt with the controversy that arose in July and related matters since then including outright attacks on both me personally and my family by some local party members, I have come to the conclusion that Laois Sinn Féin is not a safe place to be.
Her decision follows a turbulent number of months for the party in Laois after her husband, Deputy Brian Stanley, left the organisation in acrimonious circumstances.
Mr Stanley was the subject of an internal investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct.
These are allegations he has strenuously denied.
After a long period of silence on his leaving the party, Cllr. Dwane Stanley went on the record at the Laois general election count centre earlier this month.
She accused local members of Sinn Fein of conspiring against her and her husband, but insisted she was staying in the party to get answers over what happened.
However, it appears there was no contact, or answers, forthcoming from Sinn Fein.
I had hoped that the party at leadership level would have made the effort to engage with me directly and give some support and assistance to me to try and deal with these matters. However, no contact has been made by the leadership with me over the past 5 months.
While the party has always prided itself on the values of equality and in particular supports for women in politics, in my case this has proven to be a fallacy.
With this in mind I have decided that the time is right for me to draw a line on 2024 and resign, look to the future and embrace what I hope will be a better political future in the time ahead.
The now former Sinn Fein rep will continue to represent her municipal district of Portlaoise/Abbeyliex as an 'independent republican'.
Read more: "Toxic, Despicable, and Disgusting" - Caroline Dwane Stanley Turns On Sinn Fein
Laois TD Demands New Fire Station For The Region
Money Muling Spreads Beyond Cities, Midlands Gardaí Warn
IFA Calling For Licensing Of BTV 3 Vaccines
Hugh Wallace Dies Age 68
Electric Picnic Announces Nine Acts For The 2026 Festival
Laois Gardaí Seize Over €3k Of Suspected Stolen Goods
Midlands Singer Songwriter Releases Christmas Classic
Gardaí Appeal For Help Locating Missing Engagement Ring In Offaly
TD Claims Laois Is Overlooked In Latest National Development Plan
Midland’s Groups Scoop Three Wins At National Climate Ambassador Awards
Gardai Attend Scene Of Crash In Laois
Bluetongue Threatens Irish Livestock Production - IFA
Midlands Ireland Lands Double Award Success
Home Care Provider Creates New Caregiver Jobs In Laois Amid Rising Demand
Alex Dunne Is Ignored By The Irish Sporting Organisations -John Clendennen
Nearly 9k Midlands Horses Recorded Midlands In Latest Equine Census
IFA Warns Of ‘Seismic’ Impact On Young Farmers If Nitrates Derogation Ends
Westmeath Council Gender Pay Gap Favouring Women In 2025 Report
MEPs Move To Shield Beef Sector As Fears Grow Over Mercosur Trade Deal
Homelessness Continues To Rise In Midlands