Questions have been raised about why, despite knowing the real reasons behind Niall Ó Donnghaile’s resignation from the Seanad, that Mary Lou McDonald praised him and wished him well when he stood down.
Mr Ó Donnghaile had been the Sinn Féin leader in the chamber for three years. He was also a former lord mayor of Belfast.
Announcing his resignation from the Seanad in December 2023, he cited medical grounds as his reason for stepping down.
At the time of his resignation, a statement was issued by Ms McDonald, wishing him the “very best for the future “.
This came despite her being aware Mr Ó Donnghaile had been suspended from Sinn Féin around three months previously amid allegations about inappropriate messages he had sent to two people, including a 17-year-old male. So serious were the allegations being treated that the party passed them onto the PSNI.
Despite being aware of the controversy, Ms McDonald praised the contribution he had made to the party.
“I want to wish Niall Ó Donnghaile the very best for the future as he announces his resignation from the Seanad.” she said at the time.
“Niall has served in the Seanad for almost eight years giving voice to northern nationalists in the Oireachtas.
“Niall served diligently during that period, and indeed prior during his time as a member of Belfast City Council and as Ardmhéara Beál Feirste.
“In particular, Niall made a valuable contribution to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.
“I hope that Niall can overcome the health challenges that he has had to deal with over the past number of months, and I wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
Neither did Sinn Féin did not inform the Oireachtas about the circumstances around Mr Ó Donnghaile’s resignation.
During her speech in the Dáil on Tuesday, Ms McDonald said it was “fair” to question why the party had not told the Oireachtas, admitting the party was worried that publicly naming him would be “dangerous to his health”.
She also said Mr Ó Donnghaile had a period of extended leave in summer 2021 due to “very serious mental health issues”.
“Following the complaint, we were advised that Niall Ó Donnghaile was again suffering from a mental health crisis and was deemed medically unfit for work by his doctor,” she said.
“We were very worried that publicly naming him would be dangerous to his health, and that is not to make an excuse for his behaviour, but we had very serious concerns for his mental health and his safety - and I still hold some of those concerns to this very day.”
But Tánaiste Micheál Martin accused Sinn Féin of having “failed to tell the truth” and being involved “in a very elaborate cover up”.
“For the first time, Sinn Féin has revealed O Donnghaile was suspended from the party following ‘inappropriate’ text messages to a teenager, which were referred to the PSNI,” he said.
“Yet when party leader Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute on the senator’s resignation last December, she spoke only of the health challenges he had faced.
“It appears the Oireachtas was misled on the full reasons for Senator Niall O Donnghaile’s resignation, following actions which the party itself described as ‘unacceptable’.
“The party’s track record of concealment and secrecy is shocking.”
