Sinn Féin needs to come clean on legal cases taken and monies received – O’Dowd

Sinn Féin needs to come clean regarding the number of legal cases it has taken against broadcasters and public figures and what it has done with any financial awards, Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd has said.

Deputy O’Dowd, from Louth, said following the revelations concerning Sinn Féin’s incorrect statutory declarations and the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) identifying several errors in party audited accounts, it is imperative there is a clear account on all Sinn Féin finances.

“Party leader Mary Lou McDonald and treasurer Pearse Doherty need to come before the Oireachtas and account for what is going on with their party’s finances, which receives a substantial amount of taxpayers’ revenue,” he said.

In recent years, Sinn Féin representatives have taken several legal cases or are involved in litigation against broadcasters and public representatives.

“Sinn Féin needs to say if any of the monies received, either by settlements or awards from a string of legal cases, was used for elections spending or on candidates.

“A clear strategy from some Sinn Féin representatives is to sue broadcasters and public figures in this country in a bid to avoid scrutiny, silence those who may hold them to account and intimidate people from speaking out and criticising them,” Deputy O’Dowd said.

“It is a deplorable strategy in a democratic country. Those who want to lead this country have to be open to scrutiny.

“Sinn Féin are bullies and will try to intimidate or sue anyone who gets in their way.

“Sinn Féin needs to come clean with how many legal cases it has taken and what it is doing with the finance received from any settlements or awards from the courts,” Deputy O’Dowd added.