Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty should clarify Sinn Féin’s ever-changing finances in the Dáil – Carroll MacNeill

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald and Party Treasurer Pearse Doherty should clarify the ever-changing story of Sinn Féin’s finances in the Dáil, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said.

“On RTÉ’s Prime Time last night, Deputy Doherty was asked about a complaint to SIPO concerning irregularities in Sinn Féin’s accounts.

“He accused the Irish Times of ‘exaggerating’ the issue and claimed that the newspaper’s independent accountant had described the anomalies as ‘minor in nature’.

“In fact, the chartered accountant said some of the anomalies were ‘substantial’ and ‘may require the amendment of the statutory filings’, that Sinn Féin’s costs in Northern Ireland outstripped party income, and that Sinn Féin is kept afloat by the controversial Hampton donation which the party transferred from the Republic to Northern Ireland.

“Deputy Doherty also claimed that no ‘wealthy business people’ were paying for Sinn Féin election costs.

“My question to Mary Lou is simple: does she stand over Pearse Doherty’s remarks, or will she and Pearse clarify the ever-changing story of Sinn Féin’s finances in the Dáil?

“There is already precedent for Sinn Féin TDs to make a statement to the Dáil – Brian Stanley did so regarding tweets sent from his personal Twitter account.

“Mary Lou McDonald and Pearse Doherty must follow suit, as the Party Leader and national Treasurer, to explain the ever-changing story in relation to Sinn Féin’s finances in the Dáil.” Minister Carroll MacNeill concluded.

ENDS