Sinn Féin HQ claim 'serious differences' with Laois councillor

There have been 'serious differences' between Sinn Féin and a county councillor who has just resigned from the party in what represents a major blow to the party in Laois.

The party issued a brief statement after the resignation of Cllr Aidan Mullins who has left after serving as a councillor in Laois for a decade. He was also involved with the party and the Republican movement for many years previously.

A statement issued by Sinn Féin said a spokesperson said the following on Wednesday, August 28.

"We can confirm that Sinn Féin Head Office received a letter of resignation from Cllr Aidan Mullins. There have been serious differences on key policy issues and values between the party and Mr Mullins for some time.

"We have no further comment to make," concluded the statement.

There were rumblings of discontent between the party and Cllr Mullins for some time with the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District representative holding strong and public views on immigration. 

However, he remained as a member for the local elections when he retained a seat on Laois County Council which he first won in 2014. He has been a consistently high vote-getter for the party in the Portarlington area. His success did not stretch to bringing in a second Sinn Féin candidate in the district in the 2024 poll in June. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Brian Stanley TD with his wife and Sinn Féin Portlaoise representative Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Cllr Mullins.

Cllr Mullins told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he decided to quit the party after being suspended by the party for comments he made on X, formerly Twitter. The party made no comment on this

He said he “had thought long and hard” about his decision but he believes Sinn Fein has lost its way and has become “out of touch” with the electorate.

BREAKING: Longstanding Laois Councillor leaves Sinn Fein

Cllr Aidan Mullins believes the party has lost touch with the electorate

Cllr Mullins has been a key member of the Sinn Féin machine which has seen the party retain a TD in Laois Offaly since 2011 when Brian Stanley Dáil seat from Fianna Fáil.

Brian Stanley TD and his wife and Sinn Féin's sole representative in County Hall Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley were sorry to see him depart.

“It is with regret and sadness that we received this decision from Aidan Mullins in the past number of days to leave the Party.

"Aidan has been a valued friend and colleague of us both. We worked very well together as a team for a long number of years to represent the interests of constituents.

"We wish Aidan, Helen and the family good health and all the best in the future,”  they said.

Cllr Mullins said he intends to carry on as a independent councillor in a Municipal District where half the councillors are not aligned to any party.