A slow-motion car crash
Scandal and cover up lead to strategic crisis for Sinn Féin
17 October 2024
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.
As the Dublin Coalition moves towards a general election, Sinn Féin are embroiled in a slow-motion car crash around internal investigation and disciplinary procedures.
In the North a former Sinn Féin press officer who was accused (and later convicted of) various sexual offences, including attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity received two references from other party staff members that led to his employment by the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Minister Conor Murphy blamed the BHF for lack of due diligence. First Minister Michelle O’Neill claimed she was unaware of the presence of the former press officer at a Stormont reception despite a photograph showing the two within a few feet of each other.
The heat was then turned up in the Dublin Parliament. One Sinn Féin TD resigned, claiming deselection pressure. It turned out that former Belfast Lord Mayor and Senator, Niall Ó Donnghaile had been removed from his position following complaints of inappropriate communication with a teenager. Furthermore, a Sinn Féin statement issued in the name of leader Mary Lou McDonald at the time withheld the full facts surrounding his departure.
An avalanche of criticism has fallen on Sinn Féin following a litany of scandal and cover up. However, the greatest damage was caused by the departure of Brian Stanley, chair of the Public Accounts Committee in the Dail and the subject of an internal enquiry.
Following Stanley’s resignation, Sinn Féin said they had referred the matter to the Gardaí, including texts sent to them by Stanley. This then got them in even more trouble. If a criminal offence had taken place why not inform the Gardaí at once? If there was no criminal offence, why refer at all?
Sinn Féin responded weakly that the referral was due to an “overabundance of caution “. There is nothing new about Sinn Féin’s behaviour. They have a very long history of covering up scandal, lying profusely and silencing and smearing critics who come into conflict with them. Some commentators have suggested that the referral may prevent further discussion.
But why has this particular scandal blown up in their faces? The answer is that they have been protected by the political establishment and the media for over 25 years because of their central role in preserving the Stormont administration. That period has come to an end. The British are not interested in further concessions and both Sinn Féin and the DUP have to live with this final settlement.
The media is more hard-nosed, the establishment less sympathetic. The bluster that once served them no longer works. Because of this level of impunity Sinn Féin relied heavily on speaking out of both sides of their mouth, telling their supporters one thing and the other capitalist parties another.
Now we see this slow-motion car crash. It is an accident that cuts away at the whole base of Sinn Féin’s strategy. The narrative was that they were not settling for a role in administration of the Northern colony. The northern settlement was a first step, to be followed by a place in government in Dublin. Ensconced in government both North and South, the case for a United Ireland would be overwhelming.
Now an election is looming. No one can predict the Sinn Féin vote, but it is almost impossible that they will be part of the incoming Dublin government. They have been pushed back on many fronts. The government has pushed them back on their rather fanciful housing policy and they have moved to the right on immigration and refugees. In the North the Starmer government is advancing a massive programme of austerity that Sinn Féin will implement. The cry of British cuts is wearing thin.
All illusions have to come to an end. The idea of a Sinn Féin-led government of the left in Ireland, supported by many leftists at home and abroad, was always a pipe dream. Unfortunately, the consequence of waking from this dream is likely to be more freedom for a reactionary government and a growth of reactionary and racist forces.
However, we all have to awaken from dreams. Ireland is a dependent neo colony with a continued British rule in the North and a comprador bourgeoisie ruling the Irish state on behalf of imperialism. Sinn Féin is just another national liberation movement that has capitulated to imperialism. That recognition will allow the construction of a new socialist programme and a new movement.