Is Sinn Fein going to call on Michelle O’Neill to resign now?

Irish government minister for agriculture Dara Calleary and Seanad leas-cathaoirleach [deputy chair] Jerry Buttimer have resigned from their government positions over their unwise participation at an 80-strong Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Galway, which breached Irish government guidelines on the Covid-19 crisis.
By John Cushnahan
Published 22nd Aug 2020, 08:00 BST
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of the IRA man Bobby StoreySinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of the IRA man Bobby Storey
Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of the IRA man Bobby Storey

They were right to do so.

Their resignations had been demanded by opposition parties and the Irish media. This is understandable.

However there is one party that has no right whatsoever to be part of the chorus of condemnation, and this is Sinn Fein who are once again guilty of cynical hypocrisy.

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Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane not only justified the resignation of Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer but he also demanded the resignation of others who attended the event.

Sinn Fein’s attempt to take the high moral ground on the Galway dinner is in marked contrast to the position they adopted on the breach of Covid guidelines that occurred at the funeral of IRA veteran Bobby Storey on June 30.

Sinn Fein members and representatives were guilty of the widespread breach of the Northern Ireland Executives guidelines.

The chief offender on this occasion was Sinn Fein deputy first minister Michelle O Neill (pictured) who, like Dara Calleary, was also responsible for making decisions on Covid 19 regulations.

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Why don’t Sinn Fein follow the example of deputy Calleary and senator Jerry Buttimer and seek the resignation of Michelle O’Neill as deputy first minister? If not, why don’t the media in both parts of Ireland ask them to justify their hypocrisy?

John Cushnahan, Former Fine Gael MEP and ex-Alliance leader

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Related topics:Sinn FeinMichelle O'Neill