Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin, has stated that individuals spotted engaging in detrimental behaviour with extreme loyalist groups in Belfast over the summer were the very ones who had mistreated Sinn Féin contenders throughout the recent local election campaign.
It’s known that a number of right-wing activists from Dublin, who identify as “Irish patriots” on the internet, were part of a violent anti-immigration demonstration held in Belfast the previous month. During this rally, they were observed carrying the Irish Tricolours with loyalist group members waving union flags.
In a Monday interview on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, McDonald was questioned about Sinn Féin’s dismal performance in the local elections, which saw a 60% decrease in votes from the previous general elections. The host, Gavin Jennings, mentioned video clips circulated during the campaign which displayed Sinn Féin representatives being driven away from doorsteps of houses and labelled as betrayers.
McDonald confirmed that Sinn Féin contenders had been harassed by the same people who later joined the extreme loyalist factions in Belfast. She added that these individuals’ behaviour exposed their beliefs and intentions. McDonald further stated that Sinn Féin has been a part of local communities for a very long time and is not new to these incidents.
She said there was a determined online campaign meant to target Sinn Féin during the elections. McDonald concluded from the incidents that these attackers fundamentally resisted change, and wanted to maintain the status quo, contrary to what would benefit their communities.
She expressed her dissatisfaction, saying it is unjust to subject individuals seeking global safety to communities that are already stretched thin. In response to whether she has identified appropriate locations for asylum housing, she mentioned, “Ideal locations would be those untouched by the intense scarcity or deprivation, where community discussions can happen.” She also revealed that her political group intends to field approximately 70 candidates in the forthcoming general election.