Taoiseach Simon Harris accuses Mary Lou McDonald of 'duping people of Ireland'

The Taoiseach insisted the controversies embroiling the main opposition party will not influence when he calls the next general election.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has accused Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald of “duping the people of Ireland” as the fallout over Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile’s resignation continues.

On Wednesday, Sinn Féin refused to answer several questions regarding Mr Ó Donnghaile’s resignation, including questions about why he did not announce his departure until December 21 2023 when he resigned on October 5.

The Belfast man left the party following an investigation into “inappropriate text messages” that were sent to a 17-year-old. Although the matter was referred to the PSNI and social services in Northern Ireland, there was no formal investigation.

READ MORE: Brian Stanley accuses Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald of 'abusing Dáil privilege'

READ MORE: Mary Lou McDonald accused of 'elaborate cover-up' over Niall Ó Donnghaile resignation

In December 2023, statements published by Mary Lou McDonald and Mr Niall Ó Donnghaile said he was standing down due to ill health but did not mention the controversy.

The controversy, as well as the resignation of Patricia Ryan and Brian Stanley and the references scandal, has placed significant pressure on Ms McDonald.

Asked in Brussels if he believed the Sinn Féin leader’s position was tenable, the Taoiseach accused her of “duping” the Oireachtas and the “people of Ireland”.

“I note the fact that the leader of Sinn Féin finally addressed a number of these in the Dáil,” Mr Harris said.

“I also note that it's not only Government members who are concerned with some of what they heard. Indeed, it's many opposition politicians and opposition politicians and leaders of the opposition, including the leader of the Social Democrats [Holly Cairns], the leader of the Labour Party [Ivana Bacik] and others who are saying there are still unanswered questions and a need for more clarity.”

He said: “It's for Deputy McDonald to decide what she wishes to do next in terms of further information that she wishes to provide.

“It's clear the Oireachtas and the people of Ireland were duped. That much is clear.

“How the leader of Sinn Féin wishes to respond to that is for her and ultimately, how the people of Ireland wish to respond to Sinn Féin will be, will be a matter for them to consider in due course.”

In the Dáil on Tuesday, Ms McDonald confirmed that Mr Ó Donnghaile resigned from the party on October 5, 2023. However, this was not announced by Sinn Féin until December 21. The House of the Oireachtas confirmed to the Irish Mirror on Wednesday that “the resignation of Senator Ó Donnghaile took effect following its announcement to the Seanad by the Cathaoirleach on January 22, 2024”.

Allowance records show that Mr Ó Donnghaile received allowances worth €2,126.25 in October, November and December from the Oireachtas. This amounts to €6,378.75.

This is on top of his Senator’s salary of €6,634 per month before tax. He was also entitled to an allowance as Sinn Féin’s leader of the Seanad worth €6,875 per year.

The party did not answer several queries about why Mr Ó Donnghaile did not announce his resignation until December when he actually left the party in September.

They also did not answer queries about why statements which did not mention the investigation against Mr Ó Donnghaile were issued by the press office.

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