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Updated 6.40pm
THE AMERICAN FUNDRAISING branch of Sinn Féin received close to $400,000 in donations from US-based supporters over the last 12 months, TheJournal.ie can reveal.
New US Justice Department figures, obtained by this website, show that between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2015, the New York-based “Friends of Sinn Féin” took in $397,082 (€355,565) in donations.
That’s down from $418,271 in the previous year.
The group’s expenditure over the last 12 months was $433,969.
The party has insisted that the majority of the money stays in the United States to fund its lobbying of US politicians in furthering the Northern Ireland peace process.
Strict rules around party funding in the Republic of Ireland mean that money raised abroad doesn’t find its way into Sinn Féin’s accounts here.
Some of the funds, however, can legally be spent in Northern Ireland.
Labour TD Derek Nolan today accused Sinn Féin of ‘pitching a Galway tent in New York’ referring to the infamous fundraising tent that Fianna Fáil had at the Galway Races.
“Remember the outcry from Sinn Fein at builders and developers swanning around the exclusive Fianna Fail tent at the Galway races? Remember the outrage at luxurious fundraising events costing hundreds and thousands euro at five star hotels, totally unaffordable for the average person?” the Galway-West TD said.
Imagine how Sinn Fein would have decried a €15,000 donation to a political party from a construction conglomerate or wealthy former bankers? Sinn Fein’s fundraising practices are simply not compatible with the rhetoric and phoney imagery they like to project.
Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), groups acting or fundraising on behalf of foreign-based organisations are required to file statements with the US government twice a year.
In the six months from May to November 2014, Friends of Sinn Féin (FOSF) took in $6,971, but recorded $390,111 from November 2014 until 30 April 2015.
The vast bulk of that is understood to have been raised at FOSF’s $500/plate annual dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan, last November.
The event, attended by party president Gerry Adams and TD Pearse Doherty, raised eyebrows at home, with Tánaiste Joan Burton pointing out in the Dáil that the cost of a ticket was more than what the average family would pay in water charges.
The vast majority of Sinn Féin’s US individual and business donors come from the New York region, but in total, 14 American states – from Ohio to Alabama – are represented, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia.
The biggest single contributer to the group in the last year was United Structural Works, a steel fabricator in Rockland County, New York, which gave $20,000.
Its president, Cormach Murrihy, originally from Ratoath, Co Meath, told TheJournal.ie the donation was “purely for personal reasons.”
It’s down to the wonderful work [Sinn Féin] is doing, north and south of the border. It’s really an inspiring organisation, and luckily I’m in a position [to contribute].
The group’s latest statement also shows that 13 Sinn Féin representatives and advisers made 33 visits to nine different cities, primarily New York and Washington DC, but also including Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston, among others.
Gerry Adams visited New York for the November gala, and again over the St Patrick’s Day period, when he also took a trip to DC.
Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald attended events in New Orleans in March, while TDs Pearse Doherty and Peadar Tóibín went to New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Chicago.
Just last week, the party’s former Westminster MP Conor Murphy was briefing US politicians on the current political crisis over welfare reforms in the North.
The party maintains this is what the money raised in the US pays for. A well-placed source explained:
The vast majority of Friends of Sinn Féin money stays in the States. It pays for the lobbying operation and pays for people to go and lobby. It’s not money coming back into the party.
In response to questions from TheJournal.ie, a spokesperson for Sinn Féin said all fundraising and spending by FOSF was “fully transparent and compliant with all US laws and regulations.”
Funds raised by FOSF are used in the USA to promote the cause of Irish Unity and the peace process.
For example, [through] speaking events, maintaining an office in New York, political briefing, etc…
TheJournal.ie requested comment from Friends of Sinn Féin, but did not receive a response.
You can read the full list of donors to Friends of Sinn Féin, as well as US trips by party representatives, here.
- with reporting by Hugh O’Connell
Originally published 6.34am
The Indo is going to have a conniption.
Is that all ,hardly a fortune considering the expenses Enda Kenny has be getting for the last 10 years .
Do Sinn Fein TDs not claim expenses any more?
No, absolutely not. Especially don’t mention that Sinn Fein are just behind FF for taking the most expenses per TD of any party.
‘Funds are used to promote Irish unity and the peace process’. The Blueshirts need to nip this bolshiness in the bud and start a Partition of Ireland fund.
Ze Fine Gowl Bluebots are frenzily rebooting up after a long hard day sucking brainfarts and will be along very shortly for ShinnerFest 106…..Don’t move that dáil!!
once I saw ”with reporting by Hugh O’Connell” – enough said.
government mouthpieces, trying to make up for their failure to cover the DOB controversy.
Its good to be back doing this instead of the referendum. Normal service has been resumed.
Adam
Not long left for the Labour gravy train,you should have joined Fine Gael buddy.
Still, funny how the only deleted comments here are ones making fun of Shinners.
I wonder if Mr Murrihy, the largest contributor, would be so generous if he was living here. As the president of a company he is exactly the type that SF want to tax to the hilt.
You don’t get taxed for being the president of a company, you get taxed depending on your income the same as everyone else. Trying learning basic taxation principles before making stupid comments.
At least they’re not getting donations from the Libyans anymore though.
And you think the president of a company that can afford to give SF 20,000 isn’t getting very well paid.
American donors funding Sinn Fein are obviously banking on SF getting into government so that they can influence the way business is done here in America’s favour….a worrying development overall for the future of the EU.
Yes Chris because we’re far safer with fg or ff, no outside influence with those 2 *redacted*
Remember the expenses of the Sinn Fein TD ’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh where €50,000 worth of expensive ink toner cartridges were claimed in two years. How did that turn out?
Chris , elections aren’t a competition won by the party with the most donations, it’s won by votes. Btw I sit on the fence when it comes to politics but I agree that it would be ten steps backwards if Sinn Fein are voted into government.
Delusional “Irish” Americans who watched The Quiet Man a few too many times and think they are doing a solid for the Old Country.
Erin go Bragh indeed.
I’d love to see the journal.ie or Indo show more of their renowned journalistic intrepiness we’ve seen so much of over the last week and run a story on the 400 000 dollars that a certain DOB gave to the SDLP to set up an office in New York. Mutual interests one and all eh ?
Nothing to see in this article.. Quick look over there.
Got to love ‘whataboutery’.
Yolanda…..FREEEEEZE!!
Yates sticks his head over the parapet.
Not at all Sergeant Yates. I’m very much in favour of a independent media that serves the public interest. Political party funding is very much an issue of public importance and such stories should be published. Thats why, this week when the shady dealings of he-who-shall-not-be-named (of enormous public importance) are being suppressed, it would be slightly more pertinent to mention a political party which was directly funded by this individual. Wouldn’t you agree ?
Yes Eamonn you are right but that doesn’t mean that this article shouldn’t be written too.
Hot topic of the last few days. DOB . missing and silent taoiseach. Billionaire trying to silence the dail. So maybe a story on DOB links to government parties . now that would be good. Usually you run with a hot topic. But guess it’s back to look over there. Its a sinn fein story.
i think there is plenty to see, a bit of transparency in action
its nice to see transparency in action. transparency was one of fg pre election buzz words they have never put it into action.
@Eamonn
“….the 400 000 dollars that a certain DOB gave to the SDLP to set up an office in New York.”
Ask yourself the following question:
Was DOB ever a member of, or connected to, a paramilitary organisation?
You attack DOB but you let terrorists off the hook.
What about financial ‘terrorists’ of the Irish Bankster Remuneration Army!?!
*Corps even!
@CreditTiger
Did “banksters” (as you call senior bankers) ever carry out shootings or bombings?
Probably not here in this BaNama Republic of AustÉire…..yet them and their preferred punters still wrecked more lives and wrought more havoc and instability to this septic isle than all or any physical force insurgency or counter insurgency over the last hundred years!!
Eamonn totally agree, a soon as any scandal comes out about FG or their special friends, you have diversion. It sickens me.
This looks like pittance if DOB was saved from giving the tax payer €500 million!!!
So!
Exactly Jim considering the amount of people with Irish heritage that live in the states that really isn’t a lot of money ..
Good.
Tiocfaidh Armani !
That is the amount being declared, but the real amount is probably alot higher. Doesn’t the party take wages for the MPs that won’t even take their seats. And receive ‘grants’ from taxpayer (UK) for ‘research’. All their activists have cushy tax payer funded jobs, like the last sham that was shot in the markets area. SF are just as bad as any of the other parties, all of them TDs MEPs MPs MLAs etc etc. are all just on the make.
Really how much did FG get from DOB
All registered with sooo. Check it out…
SIPO
If foreign money flooded into the coffers of any other party there would be uproar.
But different rules for the shinners…
Do you just forget fine gaels $1000 a head American fundraisers?
Not even on the same planet: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/declared-us-donations-to-fianna-f%C3%A1il-just-10-of-amount-sinn-f%C3%A9in-collected-1.2128238
You sound envious of SF/PIRA’s prowess in the old fundraising arena.
More concerned than envious.
A minority party in this government gets more than the ruling parties?
I’m glad, there’s something deeply sinister about people in positions of power and who can legislate getting large donations from businessmen, it’s how telecommunication enterprises and water meter companies begin.
Why concerned?
Skint Féin!
Foreign money seeping into our democracy is never a good thing. Where does it stop? What if some extreme left/right wing states or organisations start ploughing cash into Irish political parties?
Doesn’t help when it goes to the “former” political wing of a terrorist organisation either. But that’s just me.
Diarmuid – You really are so silly .
This is declared to Revenue Commissioners income – raised by ordinary people !
Not like bribery donations for favours given – as in The FG Party !!!!
While I agree with your first point I find your second point rather odd. You seem to be clinging to the past somewhat. Are you opposed to the peace process and the progress that has been made in the last two decades?
Beats tax evasion Diarmuid……. http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fear-of-expos-forced-noonans-tax-admission-26248623.html……….. or is that only something the leddle peeple do?
So Diarmuid I guess you suspect SF of gearing up for another paramilitary campaign to wrest control of the six counties? Can I borrow your tin foil hat for the weekend?
Gosh Dairmuid, maybe you missed this bit in the article above….”Strict rules around party funding in the Republic of Ireland means that money raised abroad doesn’t find its way into Sinn Féin’s accounts here.
Some of the funds, however, can legally be spent in Northern Ireland.”
…or is it too much to read the bits that discredit your ramblings.
Diarmuid, are you saying that none of the parties took foreign financial support? None of them ever?
You’d do well to revise some history books, start with FG history
Diarmuid – If you took the time to actually read the Article , you would notice that the funding raised is for the actual running of The Sinn Fein Office in Washington DC etc.
It is fully declared income always !
It’s such a shame that your Blueshirt Friends just don’t seem to be up to finding such Friends in USA , as they do in such as Denis O’Brien !!!!
TG people who had the moral bankruptcy to support the murder of innocent men, women and children should never be trusted.
Al, you believe that?! You really believe that an “all-Ireland” party that doesn’t recognise the border and has a pretty unified structure just shuts down its funding at the border? I don’t…
Jenni.. SF/PIRA fundraising dwarfs anything raised by any of the other parties. Look at the link above.
I take it you eternally condemn the modern incarnation of Cumann na nGaedhal (Fine Gael) for their short-lived military wing’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War? It would be far more rational of you to be circumspect about the shinners because of their outrageous economic views/theories than about a conflict that ended 17 years ago. I’m pretty sure the original IRA back in the early 1900s inadvertently took down some civilians gaining our independence. There are no angels in war. Just get the f*ck over it and move on.
Ciarraioch, good boy, trying to recover from your previous nonsense? Part of the money is spent in NI. Or the 6 Counties as you like to call it, because you claim not to recognise the border. Read the article. The idea that this money is only spent for SF in the north, but not the south, is BS.
PS did PIRA racketeering and fuel laundering
money ever make it into SF coffers in the past?
@ Troll … nah I’m more concerned with the terrorist organisation which continued to kill people and rob banks up to the mid 2000s. Certainly not “17 years” ago. Look it up.
You know, the same terrorist organisation which targeted and bombed innocent men, women and children. Don’t remember 1920s IRA bombing shopping centres and pubs in order to kill civilians.
Move on? Funny how shinners arrogantly demand that the victims they created and the Irish people “move on”. Their past doesn’t suit their new narrative any more.
I agree with you that their economic policies are farcical though.
I’m not a shinner fyi. Did you lose someone in the troubles or something? It wasn’t one way traffic you know. The IRA carried out some appalling attacks but so did loyalist paramilitaries and so did the British army. By your logic the British government should be eternally condemned for actions they took two or more decades ago? Shall we boycott the UK? Grow up and move on.
Loyalist/British terrorists are not seeking power in this State, are not trying to rewrite Irish history and did not purport to kill people in the name of the Irish people up to the mid-2000s.
Your version of “moving on” entails bringing these “former” terrorists and their supporters with us into the future. They should be consigned to the dustbin of history, where they belong.
Brownie for Taoiseach…..nearly worked for Sticky Gilmour, except he lost his ‘way’ somewhat!!
Al ca, your link to the indepedents noonans tax admission story can no longer br found!
more censorship minus the injunction?
Diarmuid – I again remind you , that it’s best to read an Article firstly – garner the facts – then start Trolling – sorry -Commenting , on it ?
The Article stated clearly, that the funding runs the USA part of Friends of Sinn Fein .
Sinn Fein , if you studied your History , has had an active organisation / Office, operating in USA now , for over a hundred years – it’s clearly nothing new and they always declare their income to the Revenue Authorities there.
I wonder do FG / FF do the same ?
Okay Diarmuid so you’re selective about your moral bankruptcy ‘principle’. Well how about you keep checking under the bed for suspect devices and the rest of the world can move on with the modern progressive political landscape on the island. Dinosaur.
Indeed ciaran!….the article was removed from the Indo…overnight! Just shows how much they watch the comments section…..lol
Let’s see how much influence they have at the Irish Times…. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/fine-gael-admits-tax-evasion-over-period-of-9-years-1.307406
@al ca – paying staff cash in hand is hardly the same as having off shore accounts.
“Some of the funds, however, can legally be spent in Northern Ireland”… glad I can read the article for you Ciarraioch / Shinner troll.
@Troll G…. dinosaur? At what point do terrorists have their slate wiped clean? 9/11 happened 14 years ago, you gonna “move on” with those terrorists too? Maybe a decade ago seems like a long time ago for a teenage troll like your good self, but it is not.
Really Gabbi….the idea of off shore accounts is to avoid paying tax, in the context of tax avoidence…..paying staff cash in hand is also to avoid paying tax.
Just because SF have an account with an American bank does not not make it a tax avoidance scam, just a practical thing to have when you have an office in the US.
@ ‘gabbi’: Offshore accounts? LOL! They’re based in new york and submit statements with the US government twice a year. Hardly Malta now, is it?
@ dermo: Try reading the article before embarrassing yourself. If you have any information of funds raised stateside by SF being used to unlawfully fund the party in this state, then post it.
SF Press Office a little slow today “Were Jammin”, did you sleep in?
Ain’t gonna happen monkey head … SF are here to stay and you’re gonna just have to get use to it :-)
Speaking of monies Diarmuid, has kenny paid back the taxpayers money that was deemed illegally spent spent during the children’s referendum and the taxpayers money spent on his send abolition crusade ,just saying
Fair go. Not newsworthy. How much does [REDACTED] contribute to FG?
O’Brien donated millions to the Clinton Foundation and was also awarded a license to operate in Haiti by a state department in the States in 2011. The donations are not dated so hard to know what came first, the chicken or the egg.
Minister Alan Kelly’s brother, Declan, and his company, Teneo, are also donaters and he was award Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland in 2009 by Hilary Clinton.
cough *75,000* cough….
Sorry…I’m going to have to [REDACT] that.
So what??!!
Giving what you haven’t covered in the last week on DOB I think you should turn your attention to why Herr Kenny silence is deafening!!
“with reporting by Hugh O’Connell”
Hugh’s revenge!
wait for it to really start 3/4 articles a day anti everyone but fg
What about Fine Gaels €1,000 dollar a plate dinner that raised far more then 400k. Any word of a story on that ? Hardly.
There was a story about that when it happened. That’s how news works.
The clue is in the name, news begins with “new”, hasn’t clicked with the shinners who red thumbed your self explanatory comment obviously
Except the donations received by SF are not new nor are they news. They were released on the party’s US site weeks ago.
There was a story about the SF do when it happened on the Journal too, both stories are old news, which would also make Bobs comment invalid as these stories would be technically “olds” not “news” :-)
I didn’t know the Indo had a late edition.
I’m offering 1/10odds that this makes their front page tomorrow.
I’ll give you a tenner at those odds.
1/100 or 1/10? Ah doesn’t matter, here’s two grand…. I CAN HANDLE IT MAN!!!!
With a name like UndercoverGuard??? As you offering an thing in return before I take that bet?There is a bookies two towns over that might benefit from an auld raid.
No recession in shinner land.
I’m sure all of that money stops at the border… you know… the border they claim not to recognise.
I am not a guard and I am certainly not undercover (Testing…testing..1..2).
In any case, anyone up for some illegal activity? ‘Cause I could sure go for some. Of that. *cough*
Well I suppose its not entrapment as I made the offer before you made the approach. So I’ll put you down for two large.Now if I have to send the lads after you they’ll be taking testicles. ;-}
Why does the journal publish comments from people who dont give their name
Would my comments be more acceptable to you if I changed my username to P. O’Neill?
They might, at least then we would know what you represent. As it is you and your ilk from either ff/fg/lab (take a pick they are all the same) come on here with your moronic comments but without the balls to admit who you are.
Come on Michael! Lay down that Soviet Union flag and chill. In fact……
…….. get funky.
Good video to be fair. Thanks.
Michael, if I put down a semi-plausible human name, how would you know it was my name?
@Michael Says the man with a new FB account. How does that prove who you are? You could be Assumpta McHugendong for all we know.
I wouldnt. Thats not the point. I use my real name. Why dont you. Why are you hiding. Thats the point.
Closed fb acc and reopened it. I am who i say i am
Okay ‘Michael’
Riiiiiiight. So only a news story if it asks questions of the current gov’t.
What a wonderful new world we live in, where only one narrative matters.
So they’re good fundraisers and have a strong support base in the US , shock horror. The mainstream media in Ireland seriously needs to take its head out of its arse before it becomes completely irrelevant
Yeah seriously. This is mindly interesting but if anybody thinks it’s some kind of big revelation then I’m lost. SF have had a strong network of support in the US for many decades. There is absolutely nothing wrong with fundraising in the US or anywhere. It is entirely legal and rightly so.
What about the ‘other’ sources of income Petr??
James Gorman – Tell us about Denis O’Brien’s contributions to FG please ?
Presumably that’s what you mean ?
An ciarroch, it’s all there to see, check the register if donations.
Is former FG minister Maekall Lower-ys 1,000,000 punts and the rest up there or is there a statute of limitation for such kickbacks!?!
yes i have been on the web site it is a blank pdf but they mention that files are with the guarda regarding mayo constituency i thought that was resolved.
So a political party has good fundraiser’s and raises some money in a country that is full of Irish people and descendants. Shock horror. Its very obvious now. Spotlight on fg so its quick look over there. A story on sinn fein.
Correct. Meanwhile theres another article about a certain teflon tycoon and FG donor that has its comments section switched off.
Its easy to counter every Euro contribution to Political Parties (lobby payments) with your Vote!
You are encouraged to bring your brains to the polling booths!
Good man Hugh,
How many more times are you going to repost this, this is the 3th time your anti SF tactics is starting to bore me.
Why is it anti-Sinn Fein?
Does Sinn Fein have something to hide?
If it’s so anti-Sinn Fein, maybe Sinn Fein should stop raising buckets of foreign money.
Diarmuid
I told you before if you want to talk, come out from behind that monkey mask, otherwise. ….well ill leave it at that.
The Struggle must accept donations from whatever source available
Good man Peter, can’t explain your silly comment, so revert to insults.
Where do you shinners spend the €400k you get from foreigners every year “Ciarraioch”?
On champagne, print cartridges, first class travel….?
Where do you get satisfaction out of posting sinn fein/pira etc on every article related to sinn fein?
How`re ye Dermo!
This is old news on Sinn Féins website, the monies being raised are staying in the US to support the work over there, you DO realise that there are a lot of disenfranchised recent Irish now living in America, who (thanks to social media) have a unique outlook on what is happening in Ireland nowadays, not like it was 25-30 years ago when all they had to go by was the MSM and Section 31.
It must gall you to think that this money has already passed the tests it would obviously have received from the US authorities in setting up such a fund.
not to mention that there are now two parts of Canada donating to the party, Guess what? the newly disenfranchised Irish are also setting up home there too, donations will only only get bigger.
So, nothing to hide with Sinn Féin,
BUT
Riddle me this?
Who paid off the FG party`s debts in the 80`s or 90`s to the tune of 3 million? – Answers on the back of a brown envelope please.
Get used to the future, stop looking back in anger, the people you support in government are charlatans, snakeoil merchants. liars and thieves.
Then again Derom, knowing you, I reckon the old adage of “birds of a feather,flock together” fits you quite snugly.
Have a nice day now Dermo.
@pearse I remember this story being on the journal ages ago.. Then they publish again Straight after DOB controversy
New information on foreign money received by SF the year up to 30 April 2015. It is not old news.
Some of the foreign money is spent in Northern Ireland. SF admits this. Just wonder if any of this money filters down to this jurisdiction, though the “all-Ireland” structure SF adopts.
Why do so many shinner trolls want to hide the fact it receives so much foreign money?
Why do so many shinner trolls want to hide the fact it receives so much foreign money?
Are you Serious Dermo? They bloody published it! LOL
Furthermore – These donations cover a a 12 month period, going back to last November INCLUDING the Dinner party that Gerry Adams and Pearse Doherty attended, and of which you all threw your collective rattles out of the pram.They are NOT up to the Year 30 April, like you phrased it.
Stop getting all bent out of shape for perceived tin foil hat scenarios.
you have enough to be worrying about with the implosion of your own parties.
Kick back for the evening, and get ready for Vincent Brown
Have a good one buddy!
You are right Supernova, the first stink kicked up (if i remember correctly) was when SF had the Gala dinner, It was Joanie throwing a hissy fit about it – I think her head was bent out of shape by the fact that they were popular and people attended, I think that both labours and Fg`s dinners collapsed,
Either that or she still had water in her ear from a dissident balloon.
Your dead right! Hahaha dissident Balloon :)
Pearse, you’re wrong, these figures cover the year up to 30 April 2015. You’re also wrong in stating this money stays in the U.S. Some is spent in Northern Ireland.
Unfortunately for you, not everyone supports a political party like it is a soccer team / cult.
If another political party received €400k in foreign money per annum, shinner trolls like your good self would be up in arms.
Because its Sinn Fein? You try explain it away…
“In the six months from May to November 2014, Friends of Sinn Féin (FOSF) took in $6,971, but recorded $390,111 from November 2014 until 30 April 2015.
The vast bulk of that is understood to have been raised at FOSF’s $500/plate annual dinner at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan, last November.
The event, attended by party president Gerry Adams and TD Pearse Doherty, raised eyebrows at home, with Tánaiste Joan Burton pointing out in the Dáil that the cost of a ticket was more than what the average family would pay in water charges.”
This is copied and pasted from the article above Dermo! – Clearly stating the timeframe.
I see you are going into the default mode of selective reading and lying through your teeth again.
Well done you – Actually lying whilse the truth is in black and white on the same article you are posting on, Why am i not surprised with the way you act?
Your hatred has turned you into one big ball of dishonesty.
Only one narrative is permitted from now on.
Question the incumbent=good….Question SF/LLA=bad
The dumbing down of Ireland continues unabated.
Pearse, try again, I hope you weren’t sitting Junior Cert English today.
SF took in $397k in donations between 1 May 2014 and 30 April 2015.
That is $397k. That is one year.
Now read it again. Practice makes perfect.
Sf this sf that. journal after last week you lost all credibility how about the hundreds of millions your buddy dob got You know the one you where afraid to report on.Journal doesn’t even know the constitution some reporters!!Every body knows now that you can threaten journal with a solicitors letter and they will back down shame really.Vb will ask the hard questions you shouldnt be on that program.No to corruption in Ireland yes to equality._.
Other people (journalists inc.) try to operate within the law of the land. Then don’t pick and choose what laws suits them. Your problem Bobby is to much time spent reading an phoblacht.
Hypocrisy this, only permitting one narrative that, Bobby.
Only one narrative allowed from now on I guess. Freedom of speech, my h*le.
It appears to me that Sinn Fein are only interested in feathering their own nest, what are they doing in the north to sort out the mess created after refusing to support the Welfare Bill. They obviously don’t care about the cuts to healthcare and education coming down the track. They should be camped on Cameron’s doorstep like the Scots instead of licking up to the Americans.
Since when did fg ff labour care about the north.Ye abandoned your own people in the north sounds like your jealous because Sf have partys on both sides of the border.Sf indp for government.Thanks fg ff labour for the lifetime of debt you inflicted on my family home. bankers lapdogs.Thats what ye are.
Hi Bobby.
Perhaps you’d care to explain how the Republic would pay for reunification. I’m not sure that “has been fully costed by the Dept of Finance”.
Also, do you believe reunification should be put to a vote in the Republic?
Mk76 what has to be done is rid our country of corruption and cronyism tax the super elite and make the corporations pay their 12.5% tax and we start from there corruption first that has to be weeded out once and for all.Then have a referendum in the republic first for reunification.Then down the road a referendum in the 6 counties.Our house has to be in order first that means no corruption no cronyism.Question for you would you join a corrupt country?Fairness equality and accountability thats the way forward.
Point to a country that doesn’t have any corruption.
You didn’t answer my question on where we would get the money required for reunification. The UK funds the North to the tune of ~€4/5bn, not to mention a massive public sector workforce.
So ure accepting corruption Mk76 ?
We could always go back to printing our own money and leave the eu Mk76.We could save a lot of money by having one government public sector would be come one as well.We have tax off around 8 hundred thousand workers as well we will find a way it could be done.It might never happen mk76.Our 26 counties are a mess we should not tolerate corruption.We Should have white collar crime laws and banks should be held accountable and politicians.stiff prison sentences need to be introduced that would stem a lot of our problems.Is it true Ireland never signed eu anti corruption laws.http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-corruption-2-1296895-Feb2014/
Anyone else get a very strong whiff of double standards here. Doubt if the regular lovely nice pleasent commentators have any sense of smell
So it has begun. Let’s deflect attention by trying to sully another party. Look at sf, rich individuals finance them! Must be something very bad on fg about to explode.
Cos Sinn Fein never deflect!? Mary Lou using Dail privilege to name 6 people when Maria Cahill news was at it’s peak .., strange isn’t it?
You’ve just forfeited any right to use the term whataboutery…. whatever your name is.
The sensationally M.I.A Inda Phóca might have left his former FF flame and full on proposed to his Monty Burns in the guise of Dirty Den(is)!!
And here come the FG trolls.As predictable as clockwork.C’ere where are ye on the newly opened Denis O Brien stories and does Hugh call HQ to give ye a heads up before posting a ‘shuck and jive’ story like this one?
I think the FGers shoild keep thrir heads down concidering thst they are funded from Malta.
Sf release American donation figures and the journal do a story on it, make room on your mantelpiece for the inevitable pulitzer prize Hugh.
So it’s nit news, cos you say so???
Hardly the height of investigate journalism considering the list was released by themselves.
News would be getting the taoiseach to explain where he’s been hiding the past week.
It sure is nit news!
Alan Kelly would be proud of them
I love the way he states , “The Journal has obtained “, as if the figures were
handed over by some ‘deep throat’ in an underground garage.They are the official figures from the parties own US website and have been for a while now.
Great that the journal have managed to track down this ‘highly classified’ information just in time for the DOB story breaking.
I hope Sinn Fein are listing each and every donor??
You can google it for crying out loud.Its hardly the hard news story Hugh is trying to make it out to be
To be honest, I’m just asking for balance, as you can be sure I’d ask if was one of the governing parties :-)
Rodger Head , Mr O’Connell wouldn’t know a good news story if it hit him between the eyes. He craves anything he thinks is anti SF as he believes that impresses his political masters. Sad !
Ivan, you can be sure none of the other parties will ask as it would only open a can of worms none of them want opened, due to the fact they ALL have the same cans.
Everyone new this story.. Anyway it’s all being put to good use :)
Armalite or TNT?
Water balloons!?!
Hugh your motives here are so transparent…..maybe you should throw a few of your transparency tips Endas way.
The LBTG lobby received 17 and a half million dollars to fund the same sex marriage referendum.
NOW THERE’S A STORY!
You lost. Get over it.
Cmon Petr, same sex marriage is still a hot topic in Ireland.
We’ll still be talking about it in 2115 at which point more people will have attended the Dublin Castle Gay Love-In than were at Munster’s famous victory over the All Blacks in 1978.
And of course the Fathers in Mothers umbrella group didn’t receive a single sultry washer from any bible-fisting, sky fairy fantasists from over-’sees’!!
Shouldhave got an injunction,…
They all do this.. Every party does a fund raiser dinner,ffs get back on point.
Jeez there are some people on here would call a protest if Bosco had a tea party.
Bosco had a gay tea party.. The dude’s got flair!
Bosco’s a dude?!?!
No stinger missiles then? ..or was that Brad pitt?
I’m getting slightly bored of theJournal and Hugh O’Connell’s specifically obsession with everything Sinn Fein. I’m not saying this isn’t a story worthy of investigation – in fact if your sources or investigations showed that some of this money was in fact spent in the Republic then you have a real story on your hands. However all this story indicates is:
1. Sinn Fein group based in the USA raise money in the USA
2. Vast majority of those funds are used in the USA for speaking events, normally related to furthering the peace process of Northern Ireland
3. Story points out that money raised abroad cannot be used in the Republic but may be used in the North
So what’s the real story here? What exactly are you trying to achieve by highlighting how much a group related to Sinn Fein have raised in the USA? Can we get a similar story for all political parties on this island, by any chance?
It screams of “SHOCKING REVELATION” but there is actually no story here at all. As I say, if you uncover something of note regarding the funds raised and what it was used on then all the better. But this may as well have been a press release on the SF website stating their year-end accounts.
Of course I’ll just be accused of being a Shinner troll or something like that from all the FG trolls hiding behind fake profiles. For the record I haven’t decided who I’ll vote for in the next GE, it’s like trying to decide which form of torture I want to endure for the next 5 years.
No related artical on FG being funded from malta?
Comedian ? Always worth a laugh.
Every party politic has to raise funds, end of. Let’s grow up here lads, we all know about the Galway tent donations, the brown envelope syndrome… Instead of looking back let’s look forward… We have a chance to make changes, let’s go for it. Let’s back the people that make a change, not a political party, but the people.
Quick look at these people don’t look at Enda’s 40 year expenses , wtf has he done in that time to merit his leadership of our country.
Its impossible to portray oneself as a political correspondent when you continuously demonstrate political bias. The coalitions correspondent would be a more fitting title.
Journalists should scrutinise the funding of all parties, except Sinn Féin.
I think you have that backwards.
those ak47′s aren’t going to pay for themselves!
Your a tool.. Thankfully people like you will stay in the past and will no real say on where our country goes from here and the forcible future. Vote DOB Tom!!
So if you’re not a Sinn Fein supporter you’re a DOB supporter now?
DOB, finne gael, finne fail, same thing
I support none of those but I don’t support SF either.
Fine Fail, Fianna Gael….potayto, potahto!…..two sleazy cheeks of the same prolapsed arse!
Actually I am a young tax payer and voter. I have plenty of say where this country goes. Also, “your” implies ownership. If you want to contract “you are” you use “you’re”. for example “You’re a tool and your command of the English language is not very good”. you’re welcome…
Ah a Connoisseur of the English language, OK not much education of Irish history, but English….. top marks.
True, my Irish history is not great. I am more interested in the Irish future and my success as part of it. I would imagine anyone trying to convey a message about a particular issue would find it in their interest to at least learn how to use the language they are speaking. They say the number of languages a person can speak is the number of people they are worth. What therefore is a person saying about themselves if they cannot speak one? Also, what is the point of living if one cannot take a joke? Also, is it annoying when one refers to oneself as one?
By that statement Tom, no man is complete for I have been learning the English language for nearly 50 years, (speaking it for probably 48) and still don’t know all of it (spelling and pronunciation) and as it’s the only language I know I am therefore only part of a person (but if I round up this percentage I could become one).
Now a one, I will apologise for failing to see the joke, but in defence jokes can be a bit difficult in comment text (this I know to be true as some of mine have fell flat before, maybe they weren’t funny, maybe people saw them differently I don’t know)
And yes I totally agree that if you can’t take a joke or see the funny side, then really what’s the point.
glad you can see the funny side. Peace out :)
Plenty of people there want to see this country move forward. Maybe they’re tired of the ways of the past that drove them to leave out of desperation. #philanthropy.
What’s the point of this article the money is declared by sinn fein
Don’t see an issue here. They are just like every other political party in Ireland. No difference.
Political party gets funding! OMG….. The biggest surprise about that article was that it was not written by Hugh O’Connell!
I’d say the ruling fascist party still have some smear campaigns left up their sleeve to pull out in times of need.Nothing to see here but it’s gonna get a lot worse.
Times almost up for FG/LAB gravy train :)
Clearly the media smell a sinking ship.
The newly registered voters of the yes vote will now put that new found right to use I suspect to the detriment of the European puppets of FG/LAB.
“with reporting by Hugh O Connell ” Meh.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if we got politicians who were honest. I despise FF, FG and SF (and most others) for their dishonesty. I want to elect politicians who care for people not politicians who care for their party.
How about this for stupidity. Most journalists know that Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour are responsible for the huge inequity in Ireland today. Basically, The multinationals, looked after – Society, shafted. Then you get journalists like this, running this story, with pictures, that are indeed worth a thousands words, and none of them complementary. Here’s where the stupidity comes in….. knocking the credibility of the only credible alternative to the corrupt, incompetent and indeed traitorous conventional parties, that continue to sell out the peoples interests in favour of the multinationals, billionaires etc etc…. Foolish,foolish, foolish.
Some are still falling for the line, by proven liars, (but isn’t that what you do?) Don’t vote in that other crowd, they’ll ruin the country….. —- But……, haven’t ‘THEY’, ALREADY RUINED THE COUNTRY. How naive, foolish or both are the Irish people…?? Supporting incompetent liars, in favour of an alternative, that, absolutely, couldn’t do any worse.
Didn’t FG have a fundraiser in London last year .
Ironic that left leaning Sinn Feun get so much support from Irish America who are now predominate republicans and right leaning.
Right/left, not much difference nowadays, it used to mean something but now it’s just used to slag each other off.
We’ll done Gerry & Co
Again journal deleted part of my comment Shame on them
Look at this in context, SF are still way off FF, FG and Labour in terms of finance.
FF and FG have business funding their every need. Labour have the bottomless pit of the workers unions dues from SIPTU.
The Socialist Party spent more than SF in the by election in Tallaght last year. Easily twice as many posters.
So what
Isis and the SF/IRA probably have similar supporters across the globe.
It’s too late for you to be on the internet, go to bed.
And the most useless comment, one that sticks out as the most immature goes to….. mindfulirish..take a bow man
jenni….I think that would be Mindlessirish.
Ah now be easy on her/him, it’s a nice shiny new twitter account and they’re only just learning to talk.
The Fianna Fáil tent is alive and well ;) if this was any other party doing this there would be uproar.
I can’t understand why people are turning a blind to Sinn Fein and their antics?
So your saying no other party fundraises in other countries?
Maybe you can tell us what law SF are breaking with this fundraising “antics” and we can all join you in the uproar?
When spotlight highlighted several laws that SF were breaking regarding expenses for office buildings etc, falsifying documents etc, you were the first to defend them.
Look at the facts, SF supporters support the leadership of SF through thick and thin, so you will back them regardless.
An example, the morning after Robert McCartney was murdered by IRA members, Alex maskey choose to support the the people who didn’t allow the police investigate it, accusing the police of all sorts of crap to deflect away from the fact that it was simply blocking them from gathering evidence.
SF supporters never question their leaders, it’s cult like.
Before you deflect, I’m not a member of any party
My point being that when you support people who purposefully block and support the blocking of the investigation of an innocent mans murder, you and people like you are obviously lacking in any moral compass
Anyone think it might be from immigrants who are sick and ANGRY of the 3 E.U. stooges I mean F.G. F.F and Labour…
Sf The party of take from the haves , and give to the lazy, the world owes me a living have nots, god help us
Shinnerbots out in force to defend this hypocrisy.
Explain where the hypocrisy is.
Fine Gael had fundraiser in USA few months ago costing $25,000 per table !!
Does the FBI not mind people transferring money overseas to fund the non military wing of a terrorist organisation?
Only when it’s FIFA or one of their CIA affiliated Al-Ikea’da franchises!
Maybe they don’t know….. You should inform them as your duty Citizen
Sounds just like the Kerry football team! #kerrrygaa
If people will still vote for them in spite of the attrocities they carried out then a USA fundraising bonanza is hardly a deal breaker.
I’d say it’d take for former FFer Mary Lou to punch every voter in the face and then pee in their tea to cause any serious loss in SF popularity.
“Sure there’s no one else left to vote for sure?”
http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2015/02/09/these-5-ira-atrocities-will-make-you-feel-so-old/
Great !. They deserve every penny.
I think if Mary Lou became leader that Sinn Fein COULD DO what the SNP did in Scotland?
So what the 3 main parties did and do get money from the U.S. also but god knows why?
Do the yanks donating their bucks realise that they’re giving it to a communist party??
They’re too busy sending each other Anthrax burgers!
I’m sure there are plenty of vested interests in the USA that would love to see Sinn Féin elected so they jack up the corporation tax and run all the high quality employers back to Silicon Valley.
Clever.
Jesus how more times is this story going to be updated “shock horror as political party raises funds to run the party” I mean what a nightmare scenario!
It’s easy for them to channel the funds through northern ireland. By buying and paying for resources that can then be used by the party in the Republic.
Like the bastion of unbiased journalism that is An Phoblacht……………………..
It states in the article that over the last twelve months, the group raised $397,082 through fundraising. It then goes on to say that during the same period, the group’s operating costs were $433,969. So even though it’s a loss-making venture, some folks want to jump up and down about SF’s riches.
A nothing article that’s been updated several times since last night, just as we’re dealing with the fallout from DO’B scandal and his friends in high places. Brilliant.
Seriously posted at least 4 times today, where is the reports of other parties fundraising. People respect balanced journalism, quickly losing respect for the journal.ie, turning more tabloid by the day.
I wonder would the Americans give so much if they knew they were lefties
How many times is this going to be re hashed today? This is the third time I’ve counted. Is SF getting too popular in the poles again?
Ah yes. Through fundraisers and donations for murderers rapists terrorist and terrorist supporters they raised 400k and pocketed the rest. What a great outfit they are.
I wonder if the Americans would give as much if that knew that were lefties
Malta is a foreign state also.
I thought the Americans stopped supporting terrorism! I understood that a major contributing factor to the piece process for that post 9/11 saw a huge drop in financial support for SF coming from the U.S. not because they were associated with al-Qaeda but like al-Qaeda there were responsible for murdering men women and kids!
have your say