Sinn Féin have questions to answer over Donohoe case – Richmond

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has said Sinn Féin have questions to answer over revelations that a party member wouldn’t speak with Gardaí investigating the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe until they cleared it with party figures.

Deputy Richmond said, “Once again when it comes to Sinn Féin and the law of the land, we have seen a shadowy parallel system at work. We have seen it in respect of the murder of Paul Quinn, the horrific treatment of Máiría Cahill and at various repeated junctures.

“The revelation that a key witness in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe wouldn’t speak with investigating Gardaí until they cleared it with party figures raises serious questions that the party must answer.

“Why does a Sinn Féin activist feel they need to speak with party officials before making a statement to the Gardaí? Do Sinn Féin believe their authority comes before that of the State? Will Sinn Féin encourage all who have information on the murder of Detective Garda Donohoe to present themselves to the Gardaí?

“Sinn Féin and their new supporters are extremely sensitive when the party’s shadowy tendencies are brought up, often dismissing it as historic, but these revelations show once again that Sinn Féin are simply not a normal political party. If they seek legitimacy, then they need to answer these questions and be clear about the separation of powers.

“What other investigations have the Sinn Féin hierarchy been ‘consulted’ on? A membership card of a political organisation should never be used as a shield in a criminal case.

“Justice needs to be delivered for Detective Garda Donohoe’s widow, his children robbed so young of their Daddy, his family and his colleagues in An Garda Síochána,” Deputy Richmond concluded.