Sinn Féin's Mary Lou has taken a break from the current issues surrounding her party - and the incessent General Election rumours - to wish Cork TD Thomas Gould a speedy recovery after surgery he underwent earlier in the week.

Ms McDonald gave details to the Dail chamber on Tuesday of how Sinn Fein handled various complaints in relation to party members that came to light. | UTV News

Michelle O'Neill has said there are "no questions" over her party president's leadership of Sinn Féin. On Tuesday, Mary Lou McDonald defended Sinn Féin's decision not to reveal that former Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile had been suspended for sending inappropriate texts to a teenage boy when he stepped down last year.

The Sinn Féin president has been criticised for paying tribute to the senator following his resignation last December

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This is the statement that Mary Lou McDonald TD issued on the resignation of Niall Ó Donnghaile from the Seanad on December 21 2023.

Mr Stanley announced his resignation from Sinn Féin on Saturday, suggesting he was subject to an inquiry akin to a "kangaroo court"

Former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has accused Mary Lou McDonald of "abusing Dáil privilege" in remarks she made about him on Tuesday.Speaking in the Dáil, Ms McDonald said that she had been unaware of the detail of the "very serious" complaint made against Mr Stanley until Saturday night,

Sinn Féin's vice-president has said there are no questions around Mary Lou McDonald's leadership within the party after recent revelations. On Tuesday, McDonald defended Sinn Féin's decision not to reveal that former Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile had been suspended for sending inappropriate texts to a teenage boy when he stepped down last year.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin president, is coming under pressure over the party's handing of recent child safeguarding issues. It is understood that the text messages were sent by Mr Ó Donnghaile to a 17-year-old in Northern Ireland.