SF’s ‘Trump-style rallies show it’s not ready for government’

SINN Fein has been accused of planning “Trump-style” rallies rather than focusing on trying to form a left-wing government.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have criticised Mary Lou McDonald’s party for a series of public rallies to be held in the next fortnight.

Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne said: “These Trump-style rallies don’t indicate a party that is seriously preparing for government.”

Fine Gael junior minister Patrick O’Donovan claimed Sinn Fein “want these rallies around the country to give out and shout and roar but in actual fact do nothing”.

The remarks come as the first planned event takes place in Cork tonight. Sinn Fein has rejected the criticism, insisting the rallies are taking place

“in tandem” with continuing efforts to form a government.

Ms McDonald (right) announced the plans for the public meetings saying Sinn Fein wants to “bring the conversation about a government for change to the people”. There will also be events in Dublin, Newry, Cavan and Galway.

Mr Byrne likened the meetings to the kind of rallies held by US President Donald Trump and argued that Sinn Fein is holding public meetings rather making serious attempts to form a government. He also claimed Ms McDonald is ignoring the issues raised by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin in the Dail last week. Mr Martin said he could not go into government with Sinn Fein because of its “efforts to legitimise a murderous sectarian campaign” of the Provisional IRA.

Ms McDonald responded by saying she “did not care” what he thinks of her party.

Mr O’Donovan referred to the 24% of first preference votes secured by Sinn Fein in the election and said many parties got more than that but ended up in Opposition. He added: “Rather than having rallies we’d be delighted if Sinn Fein went away and actually formed a government rather than blaming everyone else.”

A Sinn Fein spokesperson said the party has made it clear it will “talk to all parties and independents about delivering a government for change”. They insisted the party will do that this week, starting with a meeting with the Green Party today. With Fianna Fail and Fine Gael ruling out a deal with Sinn Fein, attention is turning to the prospect of a deal between the two Civil War parties with the support of the Greens or others.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is due to meet Mr Martin as early as tomorrow for preliminary talks. The Fine Gael leader has not been given a mandate by his party to enter government formation talks. He has said Fine Gael is preparing for Opposition, but has not ruled out a deal as a “last resort”.