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Sinn Fein President Stands Over Internal Investigation Involving Laois Offaly TD

Sunday, 13 October 2024 01:00

Mary Lou McDonald insists Brian Stanley's rights were protected "throughout" the process.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald is standing by her party's internal disciplinary processes after Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley announced his departure from the party after being the subject of a complaint and investigation.

In her statement the party leader says: “A complaint was made against Deputy Brian Stanley at the end of July by a longstanding member of the party and a panel was set up under our internal disciplinary processes to investigate the complaint. During the preliminary stages of the inquiry, further information was brought forward which resulted in a counter allegation being made."

Following the exchange of allegations, a preliminary report from the investigation was given to both individuals while the Sinn Fein sought external legal advice.

The party is no longer dealing with the case and says the case "has been passed to An Garda Síochána".

Ms. McDonald is defending the process, and says Sinn Fein have robust procedures for dealing with such issues.

Mr. Stanley's announcement late on Saturday night ended four decades of membership with the party.

He says: "This ‘inquiry’ has been shown to have lacked any shred of credibility, not least due to a significant abuse of process. In many ways it resembled a type of kangaroo court. Legal examination of this matter will continue."

The Public Accounts Committee Chair becomes the third elected representative to step away from the party in recent weeks after the departures of Kildare South TD Patricia Ryan and Laois County Councillor Aidan Mullins.

Mr. Stanley was first elected to the Dail in 2011 after serving on local authorities for over a decade.

 

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