McDonald faces new pressure to apologize over SF’s treatment of young members who received inappropriate text messages – The Irish Times

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is facing renewed calls from political rivals to apologize for the party’s handling of a 16-year-old member who faced inappropriate social media posts from former senator Niall O Donnghaile.

Over the weekend, the former Sinn Féin member confirmed to the media that they were 16, not 17, when Mr O Donnghaile sent the text messages to them. They also strongly criticized Sinn Féin’s handling of the resignation of its Seanad leader, and the lack of any mention of the real reasons for his resignation. They also asked Ms McDonald to apologize directly to them.

On Monday, all three coalition party leaders criticized Ms McDonald and called on her to correct the Dáil report regarding the age of the victim, as well as issue a full apology. Ms McDonald has said she is sorry for what happened but has not yet apologized directly to the victim.

Presenting the Dublin City Taskforce Report on Monday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the victim had detailed to the media over the week how they had been affected by the situation.

“The victim … has called on Ms McDonald to apologize directly and sincerely … I would have thought this was the most pressing issue that the Sinn Féin Party would need to address today,” he said.

Mr Harris claimed Sinn Féin had been out in force demanding an apology from RTÉ “all weekend” over a first-person monologue sketch by Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty in which he used the phrase “Sinn Féin traitors” used. Leading members of Sinn Féin slammed the broadcaster for using the term, saying Ms McDonald had received death threats amid anti-migrant elements who described her as a “traitor”.

However, Mr Harris argued that the party had remained silent on demands for an apology.

“That is something Sinn Féin needs to think about. And I would like to know today: does the leader of Sinn Féin intend to do what the victim asked? he said. “I thought we were now taking a victim-centered approach.”

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said at the same event that Ms McDonald’s judgment was “flawed” in agreeing to such a statement at the time of Mr O Donnghaile’s departure.

“The level of praise she was hoping for (O Donnghaile was flawed) in light of the reason he left Sinn Féin. “With regard to the age of the victim at the time these text messages were sent, I think there is an opportunity for Deputy McDonald to clarify the House’s record,” he said.

Speaking in Cork, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said Mr Martin also called for greater clarity.

“More clarification is needed in relation to that whole saga, not just in terms of the Brian Stanley affair but also in terms of Niall O Donnghaile and to what extent were the Oireachtas blind and to what extent was there a cover up to Oireachtas to avoid? because he was not fully aware of the reasons why he resigned.”

Mr Harris rejected suggestions that Mr O’Gorman had stolen a march by declaring his preference for November 29 for election day in the general election.

“Coalition leaders are absolutely entitled to speak their mind and express their view that the government has worked cohesively,” he said.

Mr Harris said it was necessary to get the Finance Bill – which provides a legal basis for the measures announced in the Budget – published. He added that it was also important that the government published its housing figures for next year.

He said once these measures were in place, he wanted the general election to take place in an “amicable, orderly manner”.

The Taosieach said three parties would run their campaigns separately and would not have a transfer pact. However, he pointed out the clear pattern of transfers between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in the local and European elections.