Mary Lou McDonald must correct the Dáil record over inaccurate information about Sinn Féin’s teen victim

Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is calling on Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald to correct the Dáil record after the Opposition leader provided completely wrong information about a teenage victim and a former Sinn Féin Senator.

“For more than a year, Mary Lou McDonald and Sinn Féin have attempted to hide the reasons as to why their former Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile was sacked for ‘unacceptable behaviours’ by the party and instead preferred to provide him with cover and glowing public references.

“Last week, the Sinn Féin leader admitted after repeated questioning, incorrectly, that a 17-year-old made a complaint about an inappropriate message from their party leader in the Seanad.

“There is nothing correct about this. Despite Sinn Féin repeatedly giving the false age at the time of the communications and complaint, we have established, through the teen himself, he was 16. Why did Sinn Féin continue to push this falsehood? Why didn’t they alert An Garda Síochána as to the activities of their Senator? They were well able to call the Guards out of an ‘abundance of caution’ in the case of Brian Stanley.

“Sinn Féin couldn’t even be bothered to verify the details on the minor before alerting Northern authorities. 16 is a child, North and South. For child protection rules, North and South.

Abundance of caution, where are you?

“And we now know the communications started in the Spring of 2023 with ‘inappropriate requests and questions’ as outlined by the teen today.

“The brave young minor alerted the party then but they took no action. Actually, he was dissuaded from speaking up further. A Republican blue blood Senator comes first over a 16 year-old child.

“Sinn Féin have tried to hide, run and cover up on the shameful Niall Ó Donnghaile episode since details emerged eight days ago. Last Monday night, we had the spectre of a senior front bench Sinn Féin TD saying she did not know who this party colleague was. Pull the other one.

“Almost two weeks ago, myself and colleagues from other parties called for proactive statement on all matters relating to child protection processes from Sinn Féin. They had no interest in transparency or accountability to the Oireachtas. Assuming they would ride it out as usual. Even when it came to their former Leader in the Seanad.

“It is clear that child safety is not of interest to Sinn Féin when it comes to protecting the party.

“Whether is a paedophile receiving employment references from two press officer colleagues or a HR manager who apparently told no one what occurred, we are asked to believe the incredulous from Sinn Féin. Sinn Fein will protect and enable paedophiles and groomers every time – if they are of good Republican stock. We have two examples of this in the past week, but we know it reflects a longstanding culture and practice in Sinn Féin.

“Deflect, avoid and cover up. That’s the Sinn Féin way.

“The leader of Sinn Féin needs to correct the Dáil record this week,” Minister Carroll MacNeill said.