Sinn Féin has launched disciplinary proceedings against a party member in Galway West following her public criticism of the party's candidate during this year's by-election campaign.
Máirín Mhic Lochlainn, a member of Sinn Féin's Máirtín Ó Cadhain Cumann in Conamara Theas, has spoken out about the disciplinary process, which follows an official complaint over comments she made during the May Galway West by-election.
Máirín Mhic Lochlainn. Photo © SEÁN Ó MAINNIN
According to RTÉ, the complaint alleges that Ms Mhic Lochlainn undermined Sinn Féin's campaign by repeatedly criticising the selection of Mark Lohan as the party's candidate.
Mr Lohan finished seventh in the contest with 6.7% of first-preference votes, almost halving the party's support compared with Mairéad Farrell's poll-topping result in the 2024 General Election.
The by-election was won by Fine Gael's Seán Kyne, while Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas received the highest number of first-preference votes with 20.9%.
Speaking on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's Adhmhaidin, Ms Mhic Lochlainn said she had been informed that a fellow party member had submitted a complaint over her public remarks about Mr Lohan's selection.
During the campaign, she described the decision to select Mr Lohan as "an insult to the people of Conamara", arguing that his lack of fluency in Irish made him unsuitable to represent the constituency. She also labelled the selection "shameful".
Ms Mhic Lochlainn also criticised Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald after she said during an RTÉ interview that the candidate spoke Irish.
"I did German years ago, and I can still speak about 10 sentences, but if I can speak 10 sentences that’s not the same as speaking the language.
"If you only speak 10 sentences of Irish, it’s the same thing, you can’t speak Irish. A person was needed who could speak Irish to the people of Connemara, who can go to meetings and protests," said Ms Mhic Lochlainn.
She rejected suggestions that her comments had damaged the party.
"I don’t believe I brought the party into disrepute. I spoke out because I said truthfully that someone with Irish was needed to represent Conamara. You have to think of the boots that had to be filled here, those of Catherine Connolly, and you have to remember that Éamon Ó Cuív was gone too," she added.
