'No disarray' - Laois Sinn Féin members stand by party rejecting Brian Stanley's 'kangaroo court'

Sinn Féin local election candidates in Laois have stood by their party and feel let down by Brian Stanley following the controversy which has led to his resignation.

Rathdowney-based Helen Campion said she could not comment on the matters at the centre of the controversy but became aware that a complaint had been made about the Laois Offaly TD in July. She stood by her party and there was no disarray in Laois as a result of the controversy.

“If anything it has proven that Sinn Féin’s internal investigation and process actually works. When I became aware of the complaint I looked at how it would be dealt with and it has been dealt with very well,” she said.

She said Dep Stanley had “absolutely” been awarded due process and fair procedures. Ms Campion said she and other Laois members have had no recent contact with Dep Stanley including the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. She said local members would refocus.

“Our focus is on the party here in Laois and preparing for a general election,” she said.

As to her views of her former colleague, she believed the party comes first.

“A general election is on its way and we are now about policies and reaching goals for Laois. We are completely focused on housing Laois and retaining the seat,” she said.

As to the difficulty the party faces in keeping a seat in Laois in the next General Election she said:

“I understand Dep Stanley has been very successful in Laois but when Sinn Féin decides upon a candidate they will get the full backing of the four Cumanns and Comhairle Ceanntair here in Laois.

“There is no disarray. The party is not about one person, it is about a collection of people who believe in the same policies - one person doesn’t make a party,” she said.

Lorna Holohan Garry contested the 2020 and 2024 local elections for Sinn Féin in Laois and worked closely with Dep Stanley. She feels let down by her former colleague.

“Brian is a long-standing member of the party. He is somebody who I would have looked up to and I feel very let down and disappointed because I would have done a lot of canvassing with Brian and helped to get him where he was,” she said.

The Mountmellick native said legal advice was sought by Laois Comhairle Ceanntair because it was an ongoing investigation. She spoke briefly to Dep Stanley at the Ard Fheis but did not discuss the investigation.

She was satisfied that the TD had been treated fairly. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Lorna Holohan Garry, Mary Lou McDonald and Aaron Kelly at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Athlone.

“I hear Kangaroo court. There were barristers and solicitors present. I can’t understand why that was even mentioned. There was no wrongdoing in the process at all from my knowledge,” she said.

The former candidate said she would stay with the party and the other members in Laois she had spoken with are remaining in the party.

Ms Garry said this did not include Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley as she had not spoken to her about the matter. Asked if the party now only had a slim chance of retaining a seat, she said there were a lot of good members.

“We have good members and strong people and all we can do is move forward. There are a lot of SF supporters out there.

When Brian topped the poll (in 2020) it was something we weren’t expecting after a disastrous local election. We are hopeful we will retain the seat” she said.

She did not rule out seeking the nomination but some “strong people” would make good candidates.

Aaron Kelly contested for Sinn Féin for the first time in the 2024 local elections. He wanted to move on from the controversy within the party.

“We just have to focus on progression now and move forward and look at lining up candidates for the General Election at Convention,” he said.

He said he has been in touch with the party and said he did not know if he would put his name forward as a candidate at the Convention which had not yet been called by HQ. As to the controversy, he said he had confidence in his party’s process.

“I am disappointed. I worked with Brian for years and am disappointed to see how it has all played out. I do not believe with the kangaroo court comment as Brian had his legal team and it was all done through an official complaints process. It is all above board there,” he said.

He said the official complaints process is contained within the party guidelines. Mr Kelly said he was unaware of the matters at the centre of the complaint faced by Dep Stanley as it is a confidential process.

While he declined to comment on whether he had sympathy with Dep Stanley, he agreed that the TD’s departure would leave a significant void. He hoped the party could retain the seat.

“I think it’s possible. You never know with elections it is hard to tell,” he said.

Maria McCormack endorsed her party's approach and was critical of her the TD.

"I wouldn't agree with the way Brian has slated the party and called the investigation a kangaroo court when he had a solicitor and barrister with him at every stage of the investigation. He chose to walk away.

"I have great respect for Brian and worked with him for many years I am disappointed it has come to this. I don't see how it was necessary to deflect or blame the party," said the 2024 local election candidate for Portlaoise.

As to the General Election prospects and recovery, Ms McCormack expected problems.

"It is going to be very difficult. He is going to be a big loss there is no doubt. Brian has done great work in the community," she said.

She said the party is holding together.

"No member has resigned as a result. We will meet this week and discuss things and see who will put forward to contest the General Election," he said.

While she would not comment on the issue that has caused the crisis she agreed with others in Sinn Féin who have said Dep Stanley has the solution.

"I really believe that Brian can fix this by coming out what the nature of the complaint is then it is up to everybody to make up their minds but it is a sensitive issue and not any of us especially because it has moved onto the Gardaí," she said.

She believes there are positives.

"I see it as a positive for the party that there is zero tolerance. They are very thorough in their investigations and the policies and procedures are airtight. That is a good thing because no matter who you are - a regular member or a TD of 40 years membership - you are treated the same when it comes to a complaint," she said.

She continues to look forward with Mary Lou McDonald as party leader.

"This has been a bump in the road but we will get through it," she said.