Laois GAA manager in political storm as the MLA reportedly suspended by SDLP

Laois GAA coach Justin McNulty is at the centre of a political dispute on the day the Northern Ireland Assembly reconvened.

The BBC has reported that the SDLP has suspended the MLA after he left Stormont early to manage Laois Gaelic footballers in Wexford.

Mr McNulty was not in the Stormont Chamber when the SDLP Assembly leader Mathew O'Toole was selected as leader of the opposition.

The SDLP confirmed to the BBC that Mr McNulty, a Newry and Armagh assembly member, was suspended.

A spokesman told the BBC that Mr McNulty left the sitting without "seeking permission" and did not return for "important parliamentary" business.

"All SDLP MLAs were informed by the party's chief whip that attendance at today's sitting was mandatory for the duration of the assembly proceedings," the spokesman said.

"People rightly expect their elected representatives to be there for work," the spokesman said.

Mr McNulty decided against giving after match comments to reporters as normal when Laois defeated Wexford by 10 points.

Mr O'Toole told the BBC in the week before Stormont reconvened that all SDLP MLAs, including Mr McNulty, were expected to work fulltime for their voters.

Laois GAA has made no comment on Mr McNulty's involvement in politics.

There is precedent in the GAA managers to work as TDs and run intercounty teams. Most recently John O'Mahony coached Mayo while a TD for Fine Gael in Mayo.