Mary Lou Macdonald ‘deeply regrets’ her statement after Niall Ó Donghaill resigned

Mary Lou Macdonald said she has written to a young person who received inappropriate messages from the former Sinn Féin senator, expressing her “deep regret” over a statement she made following his resignation.

The leader of Sinn Féin has said former senator Niall Ó Donghaill has faced consequences for his conduct, including ending his political career and party membership.

She said that for “people like him” these are big sanctions.

Dublin Magistrates’ Court said the statement, made after Mr Ó Dongháil’s resignation, should not have been made because it caused “hurt” to the young man.

“I have written to the young person at the heart of this case and expressed to them my deep regret and sorrow that I have caused them pain or suffering with the comment I made after Niall came out,” Ms MacDonald said.

“That’s the last thing I would do. In addition to being a politician, I am a mother and know something about raising young people, so I deeply regret this, I expressed this to a young person. And I mean it. I meant it and I mean it.

“The cases surrounding Niall have been referred to the PSNI, to social services. It was necessary. It was actually the most important thing because when something like this comes to the attention of any organization, your first duty is to make sure that the relevant statutory body looks into it, because that’s actually how you protect in the first place .

“Then Niall faced the consequences. His political career is over. His membership of Sinn Féin has expired. And for people like him, these are big sanctions. Then I realized that he was in a mental crisis.

“I’m not offering that as an excuse for his behavior, and it wasn’t an excuse. He took responsibility and the consequences of what was about to happen.

“But I was worried. We were concerned about his mood and safety, and therefore the logic of the way he behaved.

“Obviously, in hindsight, that statement should not have been made and I say that it bothers me because it hurt a young man.”

Earlier this month, former Sinn Féin senator Mr Ó Dongháile revealed why he quit the Seanad and left the party last December following a complaint accusing him of sending inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

Sinn Fein referred the case to the PSNI and social services last September, but no criminal investigation was launched.

Ms MacDonald dismissed questions about whether Sinn Féin was leaving the door open for Mr Ó Dongháil to return to the party at a later date if allegations about his behavior did not surface.

She made the comments as the party launched its new health policy.

She added: “When someone abuses trust in the way that they did and acted inappropriately, although I must stress, not criminally, inappropriately, there is no going back.

“I think if you look at my actions as a party leader, not only in this case but in others where action was necessary and where sanctions were necessary, I did not flinch.

“These actions have been taken and these sanctions have been imposed. And our organization is no different from others. You have your procedures. Unfortunately, you can’t make laws about human behavior. But the question is when it turns out you have robust procedures to deal with them. But no, it was never discussed at all.”

Meanwhile, Ms McDonald defended the party’s handling of a complaint against senior Sinn Féin director Brian Stanley.

The Laois TD quit the party a few weeks ago amid controversy over the complaint.

He claimed he had been subjected to “character assassination” by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court.

Over the weekend, a series of reports published the content of the party’s draft report into the complaint and counter-allegations made by Mr Stanley.

“The initial complaint, and then the secondary charge, as I have detailed, were dealt with in the book fully, properly and with respect to everyone’s right to a hearing, to fair play. Of course, it was a confidential process,” she added.

“I understand that you have material that did not come from us, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

“It was those of you who have what they have, just keep in mind that this was a draft report. The process was not completed because, of course, Deputy Stanley resigned.

“We handled it properly. We dealt with it fully and took the decision, which I think you now understand, to refer the case to An Garda Siochana.

“We fully fulfilled all our responsibilities.”

Ms McDonald said the party’s rules were “applied without fear, without favour”.

“The rules apply regardless of whether you are a member of parliament or a parliamentarian with decades of service. And so it happened,” she added.

“Brian Stanley’s bad behavior is his issue. I am not responsible for this and will not take responsibility.

“What I am responsible for as the leader of the party is to investigate and investigate such a complaint when it is made and it has been done by the book.”

The party will be running in the Laois constituency and a convention will be held in the near future.