Sinn Féin suspends local party organisation over mayor nomination
SINN FÉIN has stood down the party’s organisation in the Dublin South West constituency after controversial mixed martial arts fighter Paddy Holohan was nominated to be mayor of South Dublin County Council.
Sinn Féin members were told the party’s Ard Comhairle met over the weekend and decided to “suspend all party structures and party activity” in the constituency pending a review of Mr Holohan’ s nomination.
In a letter to members, Sinn Féin’s 26-county director Ken O’Connell said the move followed “recent political actions taken by some members in the constituency which the Ard Comhairle views with deep concern”.
He added: “Suspension of all activity means that there will be no meetings or political activity of any section of the party in the area until further notice.”
The Sinn Féin leadership will meet on July 11 to assess the situation and draft terms of reference for a full review of the constituency.
During the general election campaign, Sinn Féin suspended Cllr Holohan after he suggested “loads” of underage girls were having sex with men and blackmailing them for €10,000. He said some women were “f ***** g scum”.
He was also accused of racism and homophobia after he said Leo Varadkar’s “blood ran to India” and insisted the person who is elected Taoiseach should be a family man.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said his comments were “vile” and “offensive”.
However, last month, he was reinstated by the party and his name was put forward for lord mayor. He lost the vote and Sinn Féin said they were not aware he had been nominated.
Deputy Mayor of South Dublin County Council David McManus said Sinn Féin’s decision “raises more questions”.
“How can he be re-admitted as an official councillor representing the party, but then can’t be nominated for mayor,” the Fine Gael councillor asked.
“The Sinn Féin leadership are responsible for this and now they are trying to throw their local councillors under the bus,” he added.