A Lord Mayoral portrait of former Sinn Féin councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile has been removed from Belfast City Hall within hours after councillors agreed to a request from the DUP.
Mr Ó Donnghaile admitted to sending “inappropriate” messages to a teenager last year in the latest in a series of safeguarding scandals which have embroiled the party in recent weeks. Sinn Féin referred the matter to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was undertaken.
A meeting of party group leaders in Belfast City Council took place on Thursday where the issue of Mr Ó Donnghaile’s portrait was discussed.
DUP councillor Dean McCullough made the proposal in a letter to the council’s solicitor, in which his party said keeping the portrait “would cause great embarrassment” to the council and its reputation.
It’s understood Sinn Féin councillors agreed to the removal of the portrait during the meeting and there was consensus among those present on the issue.
After assuming office as the First Citizen of the city, Lord Mayors of Belfast have their portrait painted and displayed to mark their year in the role. The former Sinn Féin press officer had become the city’s youngest ever mayor at the age of 25 in 2011.
During the meeting, SDLP representatives proposed a review of all portraits within the City Hall.
Sarah Bunting, DUP Group Leader in Belfast City Council, said the removal of the portrait was the “right decision” for the council.
“This was a specific safeguarding issue that needed addressed, albeit Sinn Féin have a lot of questions to answer about why this issue wasn’t reported sooner,” Cllr Bunting said.
“I don’t think it’s right that in the main civic building in our city we have a portrait of someone who would cause embarrassment to the council.
On the subject of a review of all council memorabilia, Cllr Bunting said she doesn’t agree about the need and that the issue should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
“This was a specific issue that needed to be addressed. If those conversations have to happen we will have those conversations.”
Speaking to media on Thursday morning, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it was “appropriate” for the portrait to be removed.
“I think it is appropriate. His behaviour was completely inappropriate so, therefore, I think that we had no issue whatsoever in backing the removal of the portrait,” Ms O’Neill said.
Belfast City Council has been contacted for comment.
