Mary Lou McDonald challenged by Laois Fianna Fáil candidate over IRA funerals

Laois Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Austin Stack has called on Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald to withdraw remarks that she made on RTÉ over IRA funerals. 

Mr Stack raised an issue with Ms McDonald's reply on Morning Ireland when asked if she was Taoiseach did she feel it would be appropriate that she would attend the funeral of IRA murders 

He was unhappy with the reply from Ms McDonald stated who stated: “It is absolutely appropriate when a person dies that they are shown respect”.

Mr Stack, whose father was murdered by the IRA, commented on this.

“There is no level at which it would be appropriate for a Taoiseach to attend the funeral of IRA murders especially those who murdered loyal servants of the State.

"These remarks are particularly insulting and hurtful coming on a day when Ms McDonald visits Portlaoise," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Sheila Stack wife of the late Chief Officer Brian Stack with the bronze bust after being unveiled at the Prison Service College, Portlaoise by Minister for Justice Equality and Defence Alan Shatter TD in 2013 with Austin, Oliver and Kieran Stack. Picture: Alf Harvey/hrphoto.ie

He continued: “Will Mary Lou McDonald call into the Prison Service Training College when in Portlaoise today and lay a wreath at the memorial to my Dad that is there? I very much doubt it, will she visit Garyhinch and pay her respects at the site where Garda Clerkin was blown up? I very much doubt it.”

Mr Stack does not believe the Sinn Féin President should be Taoiseach.

“Being Taoiseach means you are head of government and your first loyalty must be to those who serve the State, not those who tried to destroy it, and it is in this context that Ms McDonald falls well short as Taoiseach material.

 “Ms McDonald should reflect on her remarks before she visits Portlaoise today, withdraw them, apologise and offer her full support to those who serve the state,” he said.

Mr Stack is one of two Fianna Fáil candidates running in Laois. He was added to the ticket by Fianna Fáil HQ on the day the General Election was called.

He has previously challenged Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness during election campaigns about the death of his father Brian Stack was shot in the neck in 1983 by members of the Provisional IRA at a boxing match in Dublin. 

Mr Stack senior, who was a Chief Officer in Portlaoise Prison when shot, died from his injuries in 1994. 

Gerry Adams met with Austin Stack and his brother Oliver at a secret location in 2013 where a former IRA commander admitted that their father had been shot by the IRA.

A garda investigation into the death of Mr Stack is ongoing.