Taoiseach says contradictions between McDonald and Stanley add to ‘confusion’

Conflicting statements from Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and former TD Brian Stanley have created “another layer of confusion and lack of clarity”, the Taoiseach said.

It comes after Mr Stanley accused Sinn Fein members of orchestrating a “smear” against him, saying matters involving complaints should have been referred to gardai “some time ago”.

A complaint was filed against Mr. Stanley in late July or early August by a longtime party member.

A committee of two other senior party members and a lawyer, also a Sinn Fein member, was set up as part of the party’s internal disciplinary processes to investigate the complaint, Ms McDonald said.

He made preliminary filings earlier this month and requested statements or corrections before the final document was prepared.

Mr Stanley, who has been a Laois-Offaly TD since 2011 and chair of the Oireachtas public accounts committee, announced his resignation from Sinn Fein on Saturday, comparing the internal disciplinary process to a kangaroo court.

Sinn Fein then referred the initial complaint, along with a “serious” counter-allegation that arose during the proceedings, to the gardai on Sunday.

On Monday, Ms. McDonald and Mr. Stanley both said the initial complaint was not criminal in nature.

She said: “Had the initial complaint been of a criminal nature it would have been made directly to An Garda Siochana. »

When asked why the matter had since been referred to the gardai, Ms McDonald replied: “I want to be clear here: I am not in a position to say whether or not the complaint or counter-allegation meets the standards of a criminal investigation. It’s not my job.

“But I am much happier that the complaint and counter-allegation are now in the hands of the gardai and they can do what they see fit.”

Also on Monday, Mr Stanley welcomed the referral of the investigation to Gardai, saying: “This is what I have been advocating for some time. »

He added that he believed the matter should have been referred to the gardai after he and his legal representative brought “some serious matters” to the attention of the commission of inquiry on September 11.

Mr Stanley said his rights had not been protected during the process and the timing of the complaint prevented him from “having any hope” of standing in the next general election as a candidate of Sinn Fein for Laois.

He said: “Information was deliberately withheld from me as to the existence of a complaint or its nature. An “omerto” (sic) was in place.

“A mid-ranking party member asked other members not to inform me about his existence.”

Mr Stanley, who rejects the initial complaint, also presented an alternative timeline of events to that of the party leader.

Ms McDonald said the complaint was made by declaration to the party on August 2 and she was made aware of the complaint at around the same time.

However, Mr Stanley disputes this and said the original complaint was made on July 26 – adding that he informed Ms McDonald of its existence on July 29.

He said he had to ask his lawyer to write to the party on July 31 to find out the nature of the complaint.

He added: “Meanwhile, from July 26, the process of defamation was well underway by a certain clique in the party and has continued unabated since then.

“These and other facts mean there was a significant abuse of process and when this was brought to the attention of the Sinn Fein panel it was simply brushed aside.”

Speaking on RTE radio on Monday, Ms McDonald said she only became aware of the details of the complaint after Mr Stanley’s resignation, saying the entire investigation process had taken place “at arm’s length from the party”.

She said: “The referral to An Garda Siochana was made very carefully, because I was not happy, and I will not be happy, for the party to be left with a serious complaint and a serious counter-allegation . »

She added: “A process has been cut short by the departure of Deputy Stanley and I want things to be sorted out. »

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Simon Harris said: “Objectively, today has given rise to more questions than answers. »

He added: “My position on this from the start has been very clear, it’s not about engaging in some sort of political back and forth, it’s about the need for the leader of the Sinn Fein to disseminate all information honestly. .”