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SENATOR TREVOR Ó Clochartaigh has announced his resignation from Sinn Féin due to what he describes as “inaction” by the party in dealing with “ongoing disciplinary issues” within the party organisation in his constituency.
The Galway West-South Mayo senator claimed there were serious breaches of the Sinn Féin code of conduct in Galway West, and that those breaches were “going unpunished”.
Ó Clochartaigh said that unacceptable behaviour was perpetrated against him and a number of other members locally, and accused those involved of being “ruthless, unscrupulous and ambitious”. Such behaviour had no place in a modern political party, he said.
Less than an hour after Ó Clochartaigh announced his resignation, a page with the Senator’s biography was removed from Sinn Féin’s site.
There have been a spate of resignations from Sinn Féin recently, with allegations of bullying repeatedly cited as the reason. Ó Clochartaigh did not mention bullying explicitly in his statement, but said there had been misconduct and unacceptable behaviour.
Ó Clochartaigh said:
I, with a sizeable number of other dissatisfied members have sought to deal with all these issues through the appropriate channels – locally, regionally and nationally. We have taken them as high as the Ard Chomhairle and the Office of the President and now have no other internal avenue to have them addressed within the party.
Discussions around this have continued up to this morning, but the party’s insistence even today to support wrongdoers, to ignore misconduct and to plough ahead with a selection convention, which in my view has a pre-determined outcome, before serious disciplinary issues are properly dealt with, is the last straw.
Ó Clochartaigh said he is proud of his record in the party, adding:
I am extremely disappointed that I and others locally, have been let down by a party which we have worked so hard to build up and given great service to.
He said he continued to have huge respect and admiration for the vast majority of the party’s “hard-working, dedicated and truly Republican members”, but that the high standards the organisation demanded have not been matched within the party itself.
“I want to sincerely thank my wife Mali, my family, friends, loyal supporters and colleagues who have stood with me through what has been an extremely challenging time personally and professionally,” the senator said.
“I hope that Sinn Féin leadership will seriously reflect on my decision and bring in the necessary reform to deal appropriately with such nasty behaviour from now on in a much more decisive manner, which will protect members trying to do the right thing who are being subjected to wholly inappropriate behaviour of any kind,” he concluded.
Ó Clochartaigh was first elected to the Seanad in 2011.
Speaking on Raidió na Gaeltachta’s Cormac ag a Cúig, Sinn Féin’s finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said it was regrettable that Ó Clochartaigh took the decision he did.
He linked Ó Clochartaigh’s decision to resign with a decision to be taken at Sinn Féin’s Árd Fheis this weekend, where the party is expected to vote against Ó Clochartaigh’s strategy to put forward two candidates in Galway West instead of one.
Doherty said that Ó Clochartaigh took the decision after the party disagreed with his strategy.
When asked repeatedly about the party’s governance and previous resignations taken by ex-councillors and party members, Doherty returned to the party’s strategy for Galway West, and claimed that Ó Clochartaigh wasn’t happy with the “democratic decision” taken by the party.
In a statement this evening, Sinn Féin echoed Doherty’s comments:
The Sinn Féin selection convention in Galway West/South Mayo is due to be held this weekend.
Trevor Ó Clochartaigh had been making the case for a two candidate strategy up until yesterday.
Given the party didn’t make the quota or elect a TD in the last election we were going with a one candidate strategy on this occasion.
“It is clear that Trevor was worried that a democratic vote of party members in the constituency would not select him to contest the election.
It is clear that Trevor was looking for a clear run at convention and the party wasn’t prepared to bypass our democratic structures to allow for that.
“Given he was arguing just yesterday for a two candidate strategy which he would have been happy to be part of, we are extremely surprised at his decision to leave the party today.”
- With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha
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Well at least “Disciplinary issue” for SF does not mean a punishment beating anymore….
@John003: Nobody told Dowdall. :)
@Fred Croydon: And who’d form the opposition, labour?!
@Noel Ryan: SF aren’t opposition at all. They are populist mouth pieces that majority of the country see through.
@Michael Geraghty:
The hashtag “Survivors of Sinn Fein” is now trending on twitter.
So many have resigned in the last two years they’ve started a support group.
@Fred Croydon: “Wouldn’t it be great if they all resigned and just disbanded.”
They’re not going away you know
:)
@Noel Ryan: Labour would be a Southern party for a Southern electorate.
@The Risen: He knows. We all know. Some of us are happy, some mad, and some (myself included) are excited at the thought of someone different in power for a change. Can’t say I’m mad about SF, and the things in their past are not pleasing, but they ARE in the past, and so SF will be getting my vote next time. Again, I must stress, I’ll vote for them not out of loyalty, but because I really think you’d need to be a sadist to vote for either FG or FF again.
@Fred Croydon: All the allegations can’t be wrong .
@Brinster: No results for #SurvivorsOfSinnFein
The term you entered did not bring up any results. You may have mistyped your term or your search setting could be protecting you from some potentially sensitive content.
So…where’s this hashtag?
@Celtrana Hairdo: you obviously don’t get satire
@Sam Alexander: sound
@Michael Geraghty: Where’s the satire in a blatant lie?
@John003: u sure about that?
@Michael Geraghty: Micko the slabber is off the blocks already. Mouth open before brain in gear. Sorry, ar$e and mouth wrong way round.
So nothing to do with the fact he was gonna lose the selection convention this weekend? Sounds like a bruised ego to me
@Skinnerbot: Bingo. We don’t see many protest resignations from people likely to win.
@Skinnerbot: Yeah. That must be it. Nothing but another SP, who needs to be publicly discredited. (MUST PROTECT THE CULT)…….
@MK76: He’s ex labour party and failed to get elected for SF in the locals and general election. They had no obligation to select him, and are probably better off running a candidate that can actually win a seat.
@Skinnerbot: Circle the wagons. There is no culture of bullying in SF. Repeat ad-nauseam until you believe it yourself.
@Simon Peters: All the other resignations and reports of problems are made up too
@Skinnerbot: Were all the other resignations from the party in recent months got to do with Selection Conventions ?? ..
Then I suppose there has to be a reason other than the widespread Bullying/Intimidation that exists within the party ..
I mean surely people wouldn’t leave the party over the Toxic Environment , that exists within …lol..
@Skinnerbot: exactly – he was happy to allow this until he realised he’d no chance of getting selected in a democratic vote. Begone.
@Skinnerbot: How do Sinn Fein know how the selection convention vote will go?
Do they rig it in advance?
@Peter McGlynn: Definitely not bullying Peter,it’s all lies…
Dropping like flies at this stage….
@Ciarán FitzGerald:
Sinn Fein County Councillors have resigned/ been expelled specifically over bullying in Tipperary, Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin, Westmeath and Limerick.
And now they’ve lost a Senator.
What is wrong with this party?
@Brinster: At least SF identify and remove members who don’t act in the best interests of the party unlike the debacle we had this week with Leo & Frances. Leo went on TV yesterday to stand by Fitzgerald despite doing a Pontious Pilate on her and never once apologised to Mr Maurice McCabe.
@Skinnerbot was the first here posting the Official Sinn Fein smear that he was “about to lose a selection convention”.
Hysterical.
Actually admitting Sinn Fein rig their internal elections.
@Niall Quinlan:
Pathetic.
And untrue.
The vast majority have resigned as a result of being bullied.
And the party has done NOTHING.
Vile.
@Brinster: facts are he was looking to run for this party – not any of the others, or as an independent – despite all this supposed goings on….until he didn’t get his way in seeking a 2-person candidacy.
@Brinster: Vile is what happened to Mr McCabe, you support a party who reside in a bubble. Pathetic indeed.
@Peter McGlynn: Fact is over 20 now resigned or expelled over bullying in last two years.
To lose one is unfortunate.
To lose 20 is a toxic, vile party with serious problems.
@Niall Quinlan: What happened to McCabe was vile. Correct. And I’m not in any party.
But SF and their cult supporters cannot admit the party has serious problems.
@Brinster: Brinster, can I just say that I often find you to be bang on the money with your comments on a range of topics. However, please don’t insult us regular readers by trying to claim that you are not in any party. It may be technically true that you are not a paid up member, but you are always 100% in FG’s corner. And as another commenter observed, you were a rare sight here recently as FG were being spanked.
@Mitch Peterson: was just about to post something on similar lines, he is as FG as Leo’s socks.
@Mitch Peterson: Mitch I support those whom I believe will deliver the best results for the economy overall and therefore for the Irish people.
That had changed over the years but right now I don’t see any credible alternative.
@Brinster: Fair enough. That is, I suppose, the best any one of us can do. I will just say though; I too used to believe that if a state looked after its economy, everything else would follow. These last few years have changed my mind on that. Our economy does seem to be strengthening, but at the same time it seems regular folk aren’t. I don’t want a party that will look after the economy first. I want a party that will look after the people first. Lets make our people strong, and let a strong economy be built on that solid foundation.
@Mitch Peterson: Agree totally, I too want to see fairness and dignity for all in this country, I cannot abide the cover-ups and scandals that have followed the last three governments around like a bad smell. We need change from the status quo. If you had asked me twenty years ago would I vote for Sinn Fein I’d have laughed in your face but now I am not so sure. They have matured greatly in the intervening period. I’m gonna give them a vote but leave out FF/FG/LABOUR. Sure whats the worse that can happen, at least we can say we tried an alternative party and who knows they could do very well.
@Frank Cauldhame: 100% agree with every word. And I think a lot of others are of the same mind.
@Brinster: Yeah and what happened to Gerry McCabe was VILE PREMEDITATED MURDER and the murderers were given a standing ovation at the S/F Ard Fheis.
@Niall Quinlan: What about Gerry McCabe, and Martin Ferris collecting his killers from jail when they were released.
@Ciarán FitzGerald: unfortunately for you, the voters numbers ain’t dropping – biggest Party in Ireland by far.
Can the Journal do a Fact Check on how many Elected Members (County Councillors and Senators) have resigned form SF in the last two years over bullying?
At what point does the party become liable for failing to control it’s members? At what point do they take responsibility for the toxic party environment across the country?
Tipperary, Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin, Westmeath and Limerick.
Think they’ve lost over 10% of sitting councillors.
It’s incredible.
@Brinster:
#SurvivorsOfSinnFein now trending on Twitter
@Brinster: I think they have lost 22 Cllrs and over 200 members in that period ..
I seen comments from ex-cllrs of the party on other sites.. and that’s the figures they are stating..
Though it would be a good idea for the journal to do a factcheck on it ….
@Brinster: No it isn’t because the hashtag doesnt exist.
@Brinster: ”How to spread fake news in one easy lesson”
Liar
@Brinster: no fan of SF .. how could anyone be after omagh and Enniskillen.
But if only Brinny boy got as worked up over FG treatment of McCabe … not a single comment from him on that … NOT ONE, NOT A SINGLE POST … funny that ?
Funny how the blinkers only allow SF bullying ( which i dont deny )hrough… everything else is erased … oh to be such a hyproicte.
@Ian Kavanagh: Hi Ian.
Here’s a link to me saying Fitzgerald should resign.
Its a reply to the fourth comment down. I posted several comments. You are telling lies.
You can apologise anytime.
SF, toxic party and a waste of a vote.
@Bob McTanned: Just like FG,FF,Lab,etc.
@Seamus Mc Meel: I think the article is about SF, I’ll check again to be sure.
@Seamus Mc Meel: Can you cite the recent similar incidents from each of the parties you mentioned? Thanks in advance.
@Seamus Mc Meel: They are all democratic parties. More important they are not controlled in the main by people who were active members of a terrorist organisation. Before digging up the past this is 2017 and not 1916 or 1922.
@Sam Alexander: Hi Sam, were you invited by Young Fine Gael to post on the Journal to defend their atrocious record in govt? I saw a tweet from a young FG’er inviting the likes of Unionists,National front heads and Brexiteers to post here and try to discredit SF every chance they get. Apparently this is being funded by a Meath East sitting TD. I’m not affiliated to SF but if this is true it really depicts how paranoid FG are right now.
“He accused those involved of being “ruthless, unscrupulous and ambitious” which he said has no place in a modern political party.”
Oh, I could think of a couple of party’s where they would fit right in.
@The Risen: SF for one.
@MK76: Want to throw in a ‘I know you are but what am I’ for the rest of the toddlers?
@The Risen: Was my comment somehow incorrect?
@MK76: No. It wasn’t. Irony is dead. Jamming is trying to make out that they would fit in FF, FG, Labour or whoever else besides the actual party they are in. The same party dogged by more of this than all others put together.
@The Risen:
In the last 2 years, Sinn Fein County Councillors have resigned/ been expelled specifically over bullying in –
Tipperary, Wicklow, Kildare, Dublin, Westmeath and Limerick.
And now they’ve lost a Senator.
What in God’s name is going on in Sinn Fein?
Why is there so much bullying?
The party atmosphere seems very toxic.
@The Risen: Brendan your colleague from Tyrone should be along shortly – summoned to social media like the good little bots you are… all plugged into the collective. Nothing to see here people.
@Brinster: FG have stood idly by while in possession of knowledge concerning the vile mistreatment of Maurice McCabe and his family which so far (there’s more to come) resulted in them losing TWO Ministers for Justice along the way. Thats just the tip of the iceberg. You’re one to pontificate.
there have been multiple resignations of county Councillors country wide due to bulling over the last 1-2 years.
“ruthless, unscrupulous and ambitious”
So the same carry on that goes on every political party…….
@Ciarán FitzGerald: …in every country…
@Ciarán FitzGerald:
No other party has had double figure resignations of County Councillors over the last 2 years.
Cork, Kildare, Galway, Tipperary, Dublin Westmeath, Limerick and now the toxicity has spread to their “treatment” of Senators too.
Sinn Fein have serious issues.
@Brinster: Brinster SF do have serious issues, that is very true. But so do FG. I know this is an article about SF, but when obvious FG fanboys jump in to score a point, it is quite pathetic. Pots and kettles and blackness and that. If you want to serve your party, please find a better way. I’m already put off by FG, and to have you here pushing the boundaries of hypocrisy just makes it worse.
@Mitch Peterson: What serious issues do SF have? Id be grateful for your insight here. You obviously wont be scoring points as you are going to vote for them.
@Mitch Peterson:
Oh my God, seriously Mitch?
It puts you off?
Oh in that case I take it all back.
I didn’t realise that criticising SF wouldn’t go down well with you.
I’m really sorry.
If you could just get them to change the website from “Journal.ie” to “WhatPutsMitchOff.com” and publish your list of everything you don’t like, then I won’t make that mistake again.
@Brinster: Ok, ok, relax. Believe it or not, I was trying to be helpful. You really are doing FG no favours by being yet another fraproom-like account, always ready to pounce on a rival, and never to be found when FG are in the wrong. As I’ve started… my whole family would have historically voted FG. I was so impressed with another barrier being broken when Leo was chosen as leader. I would be a natural FG voter. But to see how they have squandered their opportunity after FF, and now to see Leo tear up his golden ticket, and then to have this place infested with blindly loyal lackeys… I just feel like screaming at all of FG to freaking wake-up and act like a real party that is actually interested in doing the best for our country. Damn, you made me rant.
@Honeybadger197: There is an article just above the comments section. Just scroll up Honey.
@Mitch Peterson: I enjoy a good cop out. Thanks Mitch.
@Honeybadger197: Oh for the love of Jeff! It’s Sinn bloody Fein! Are you labouring under the illusion that it’s the party of saints?! Friggin google it, my commute is over!
@Mitch Peterson: Well you made me rant first! Apologies for getting carried away with my reply to you. But this issue needs attention because it is symptomatic of the party. And we’ll all suffer if this isn’t challenged.
@Brinster: And apologies to you. I can be flippant and rude when I’m not consciously fighting it! And, to be clear, you are not wrong by any means.
Where is Fiona writing countless articles condemning this behaviour. Love to berate Leo and doubt his integrity and yet SF is a far more sinister organisation.
@Simon Peters: you hit the nail on the head.
@Simon Peters:
Maybe the Thesaurus app on her phone stopped working
This is a disgraceful article and a clear ploy by The Journal to discredit SF and distract from the sh*tshow that is FG.
I’m also pretty sure the GFA prevents any such articles being published, which makes SF the true victim here.
@MK76: This is a disgraceful ‘comment’ and a clear ploy by ‘MK76’ to discredit ‘The Journal’ and distract from the sh*tshow that is ‘SF’.
A handy sentence to have at the ready to use in many comments; just fill in between the ‘_‘ as appropriate.
@El Sparko: I’m pretty sure it was satire.
@El Sparko: We should all morn the lost art of satire (or perhaps just my satirical abilities).
P.S: I was attempting to be satirical above
@MK76: If You have to explain yourself,you’ve already lost the battle.
@Seamus Mc Meel: Ha. I know.
@MK76: get on your bike for god sake. The likes of you are probably blaming FG for this.
I’m sure sinn fein aren’t too worried about a failed election cadidate
@Dave O’Hanlon: Especially an ex-labour party one.
@Dave O’Hanlon: exactly – he knew he wouldn’t get selected as the sole candidate in next election.
@We Love Katamari: Gerrys party are full with ex-labour party hopefuls and an awful lot of ex-ff hopefuls .. Marylou and Chris Andrews are but 2 for starters ..
SF imploding
@Rory: hopefully
The party comes first. We don’t want candidates like the other party’s have – me me me.
Who’s next.?
I am a republican of 60 years standing, my family were deeply involved in the protection of the nationalist communities in 1969 and before, brother a co defendant in the 1970s arms trial john kelly.
I will honestly say that the current sinn fein under the leadership of Adams and co are not a republican party in the true sense of the word, they are a dictatorial party who operate a heavy gang and if you speak out about corruption and bulling etc they will destroy you just to shut you up, sinn fein is full of political opportunist but not republicans, its a party that will destroy itself by its greed and where free speech is punished
He got over 5k first preference votes last time out….SF are cannibalising themselves ….in the same trajectory as the other cannabils …
Water is wet
That’s a serious pose!
Good bye,and mind the door doesn’t hit your ego on the way out.
He joined and helped build a party which approves and celebrates the targeting of civilians and leaves because of “misconduct and unacceptable behaviour”, and so far all journalists have gone along with this nonsense. Jesus wept!
Why is he standing gangster style??? Oh wait I just got it
The journal must be closed.
@Liam Dempsey: My comments must have been sent to mars.
have your say