Sinn Féin councillor back in party but still suing

A former Sinn Féin councillor is to continue a legal action against the party despite his expulsion being overturned.

The party's ardchomhairle agreed at the weekend to restore Kieran McCarthy temporarily, having given him leave to appeal the decision and asking him to assist its investigation into financial irregularities in the Cork East branch.

Mr McCarthy said he had no intention of dealing directly with the party and would persist with suing them.

The Cork councillor said he had no faith in the internal appeals system.

“This is another gimmick to save face,” he said. “If they want me to assist them in their inquiries, that would suggest there are inquiries under way.

“They are trying to draw me back in some way to undo the damage they have done to the party. It is not going to work,” he added. “This is a response to the legal action that I have initiated. That is at the heart of this . . . This has done untold damage to the party and it has all been caused by their own stupidity.”

Mr McCarthy, who met his lawyer yesterday, was expelled from the party after a review into its structures in the constituency.

Temporary overturn

The party’s ardchomhairle met on Saturday and agreed to temporarily overturn Mr McCarthy’s expulsion and granted him the right to appeal.

It also asked him to assist the party in its investigations into financial irregularities in the constituency.

The party also agreed to grant Cllr Melissa Mullane leave to appeal her suspension.

Ms Mullane was suspended for 12 months following a lengthy review into allegations from sitting Cork East TD Sandra McLellan.

Mr McCarthy and Ms Mullane were informed of the decision yesterday.