20/03/2018
Sinn Féin Senator Máire Devine Suspended Over 'Unacceptable Twitter Activity'
Sinn Féin Senator Máire Devine has been suspended over what the party has described as "unacceptable twitter activity".
Senator Devine retweeted an offensive tweet about Prison Officer Brian Stack who was killed by the IRA in 1998. The tweet, which has since been deleted, made reference to Mr Stack's son, Austin, as the "Fianna Fáil son of a sadist prison officer".
Sinn Féin said that this, along with other tweets from Senator Devine have caused hurt to Mr Stack's family.
Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle, National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA said: "This is unacceptable behaviour from a Sinn Féin elected representative.
"The Ard Chomhairle has suspended, with immediate effect, Senator Devine from party membership and all party activities for a period of three months. The whip has been removed and Senator Devine will be outside of the Leinster House team for that period.
"Sinn Féin strongly disapproves of what has happened. There can be no excuse for the hurt and offence which has been caused to the Stack family."
Senator Devine apologised for the hurt caused by her tweet: "It was never my intention to cause any distress or hurt, particularly to victims of the conflict. I want to offer my most sincere apologies to the family of the late Brian Stack.
"I accept the decision by the party national chairperson to suspend my membership of Sinn Féin for three months.
"I deeply regret what has happened, and want to profusely apologise for all the offence and hurt caused by my twitter activity."
(MH)
Senator Devine retweeted an offensive tweet about Prison Officer Brian Stack who was killed by the IRA in 1998. The tweet, which has since been deleted, made reference to Mr Stack's son, Austin, as the "Fianna Fáil son of a sadist prison officer".
Sinn Féin said that this, along with other tweets from Senator Devine have caused hurt to Mr Stack's family.
Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle, National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA said: "This is unacceptable behaviour from a Sinn Féin elected representative.
"The Ard Chomhairle has suspended, with immediate effect, Senator Devine from party membership and all party activities for a period of three months. The whip has been removed and Senator Devine will be outside of the Leinster House team for that period.
"Sinn Féin strongly disapproves of what has happened. There can be no excuse for the hurt and offence which has been caused to the Stack family."
Senator Devine apologised for the hurt caused by her tweet: "It was never my intention to cause any distress or hurt, particularly to victims of the conflict. I want to offer my most sincere apologies to the family of the late Brian Stack.
"I accept the decision by the party national chairperson to suspend my membership of Sinn Féin for three months.
"I deeply regret what has happened, and want to profusely apologise for all the offence and hurt caused by my twitter activity."
(MH)
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