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MARY LOU MCDONALD has denied that former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall was bullied prior to him quitting the party and the city council earlier this year.
The Sinn Féin deputy leader was responding to Dowdall’s comments in the Herald earlier this week when he claimed he quit the party over bullying by other members in the Dublin Central organisation.
McDonald worked closely with Dowdall prior to his departure earlier this year and insisted today that she had always had a “very good relationship” with the former north inner city councillor.
I am aware of all the minute ins and outs of all of this scenario and I can tell you categorically that he was not bullied. I can also tell you that there was no allegation or complaint of bullying.
Dowdall had previously resigned last September claiming he had been the subject of “negative rumours” from a small element within the party.
Dowdall later backtracked before then resigning from Sinn Féin and the council for good in February. He has since begun working for former Sinn Féin councillor Christy Burke, who is running for the Dáil.
McDonald said today she was disappointed that Dowdall had decided to work for Burke, who will be running in her own Dublin Central constituency, but said “that’s politics”.
She also said:
As to the issue of bullying there was no complaint ever made of bullying, that simply didn’t happen and we have very specific procedures that kick in if there is an allegation as serious as bullying that is dealt with.
McDonald said she wished Dowdall well and expressed hope that he may change his mind in the future.
Sure you wouldn’t know, he might opt to support my campaign when the time comes.
Contacted about McDonald’s remarks today, Dowdall said he had no comment to make.
Separately, McDonald said she did not believe Sinn Féin will publish the review into the Cork East constituency in the wake of the expulsion of once councillor and the suspension of another.
An appeals process is now under way, but McDonald said it was unlikely the report will be published, saying: “Beyond that it wouldn’t be practice in any employment organisation to produce or to publish documentation like that.”
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Information is power and hogan has taken away the most basic human right! Access to information.
The first person commented how there was no sound (and has now removed their comment, there is sound!! ) imagine the frustration you felt when watching the video, that’s our lives every day. Frustrating. Tiring. Limiting.
Return our ‘sound’
Yet another botched decision. , the craziness continues .
The video tells the tale. This is a shameless government, dismantling the few decent services that give some degree of dignity to those in need of them.
ISL should be enshrined in the constitution with full protection of rights!
I know it’s racist but, why don’t we take a few grand out of the foreign aid budget?
Over half a billion, and much of it thrown into a black hole. it’s absolute lunacy. If anybody disagrees, can they tell me if Africa is getting better or worse?
Sometimes I really do hope there is a hell and I hope those like Hogan burn there for eternity. The man should not be allowed to be in charge of opening a door.
Unfortunately that is not the case. Nature is cruel.
Why was that comment “there is no sound” been removed, for all you know that person may be deaf, ok so we all say he made a joke, try understand what the people are saying without reading the text I can just about lipread can’t sign and I can’t hear. People who know me who comment on here will know I am deaf, and not taking the piss.
A very sensible comment Declan .
Why would you need sound? See the world the way deaf people do!
I could have used this service had I known about it,now that I have its closed,then I may not have got because the household income might be €2 over the limit.
€8m is all that’s needed here!
Was even borrowing it and putting it on the “slate” considered?
Typical of Ireland and it’s backward government,hitting the needy and taking from the people that need services most.it can sometimes be very difficult for deaf people to integrate into society and now they are being victimised by their own government by the closure if deaforward they must feel further away from the rest of society than ever.The government shouod be embarrassed and ashamed but one thing is for sure,they are not!
Why am I not surprised? Oh yes because I live in Ireland.
It is with great dismay I read about the cut in funding to this vital service for the deaf community. The video above clearly illustrates how this service is needed so as to ensure that members of the deaf community are able to interact with bodies such as hospitals, government agencies and utilities companies in a dignified manner and on the same basis as any member of the hearing community.
For the government to cut this funding is tantamount to denying members of the deaf community the ability to access such basic human rights as to health and education. It is discrimination at the most fundamental level where the effect (intended or otherwise) is to marginalise 5,000 citizens of this country. It cannot be justified by raising budgetary concerns where less vital expenditure could be cut in its place.
i want our ids back, i don’t want be isolated again, need break the barrier, where can i go ? and access to health care, education etc, i wont go to gp if there is no interpreter, they gave me wrong med or no information. i have enough suffer in my childhood so enough is enough.
Totally agree Michelle! This decision is BEYOND shocking and an insult to every deaf person in this country!
This decision by Minister Hogan confirms his level of ignorance in dealing with people who have special needs. It’s obvious he neither understands nor cares about people who are challenged everyday in their efforts to live a normal life. These special services are a real and measurable lifeline for thousands of ordinary Irish citizens. “It’s a long road that hasn’t got a bend” and this decision will come back to haunt you Mr. Hogan
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