Criticism arose from a recent event organized by Sinn Féin, amid allegations of “censorship” when grassroots attendees were instructed to refrain from addressing party president, Mary Lou McDonald with any “negative” or “unsuitable” enquiries. This resulted in an uproar leading to nearly 12 members quitting. Patricia Ryan, South Kildare TD, along with ten others from the Monasterevin Kildangan Sinn Féin cumann have since tendered their resignation; a situation that has escalated following Ms. Ryan’s decision to leave the party last week.
In an interview granted to KFM radio station, Ms. Ryan attributed her unhappiness with how local disputes have been managed, and the investigation into their queries as grounds for her departure. Prior to the congregation held at the Osprey Hotel, Naas, the Kildare Sinn Féin county unit, also known as the comhairle ceantair, requested that local branches members send in their potential questions via a WhatsApp group beforehand. According to the head of the comhairle ceantair, this was in an effort to avoid “unlawful” or “negative” inquiries which might present the group in a poor light.
Members of the Monasterevin Kildangan cumann, where Ms. Ryan belonged, objected to this, questioning the purpose and intent behind the terms “improper” and “negative”. Their resistance was met with the assertion that it was simply to ensure submitted questions were “pertinent”. This further fuelled objection, leading to questions regarding the determining factors of an ‘appropriate’ question. Anticipations of encroachment on freedom of speech by oversight or limitation of queries raised prominent concerns amongst members. In rebuttal, a party member stated that this wasn’t a matter of freedom of speech but respect towards their party leader.
Confirming the unfolding situation, Nick Greaves, who has since stepped down from his role as the chairman of the Monasterevin Kildangan cumann, disclosed that the resignation of Ms. Ryan amongst 11 others including himself had taken place.
In response to Ms Ryan’s remarks on KFM, stating that the leadership ‘screened’ questions, Mr Greaves recounted an event at the Osprey Hotel in Naas. This was intended as a motivational gathering for campaigners, led by Mary Lou McDonald. The comhairle ceantair inquired who planned to attend, followed by a request to preview their questions. The aim, according to the leadership, was to prevent potentially inappropriate or embarrassing queries. Activists found this concerning, interpreting it as an example of censorship.
Aaron Sheppard, ex-cumann secretary, who has since left his role, construed this as an attempt to muzzle ordinary party members. In response to enquiries, a representative of Sinn Féin stated that despite being conscious of specific issues within the region, no official complaints had been filed. The party has endeavoured to resolve emerging problems through dialogue and mediation, however, to no avail. The spokesperson denied the party’s involvement in question screening and said that if the alleged actions did occur, they were inappropriate.
Mr Sheppard spoke of a ‘divide’ growing between the party and its grassroots members in the past few months, alleging a hostile atmosphere permeating the Sinn Féin structure in Kildare South. Backers of Ms Ryan, who won a seat in Dáil in 2020, also expressed their belief that she was being pushed out by the party in favour of alternative candidates in the imminent general election.
This TD has vehemently denied leaving upon hearing about the contentious selection convention, instead attributing her departure to Sinn Féin’s inadequate response to local concerns. Mr Greaves, explaining his departure, stated a toxic environment made it impossible to stay. He expressed support for Patricia, stating that despite not being ideal, she was a capable TD who positively contributed to the party. Therefore, he believes that strategising for her re-election made sense.