Sligo-Leitrim TD Marc MacSharry has accused Fianna Fáil of “double standards”, alleging the party has not afforded him the “due process” afforded to other party members against whom complaints have been made in the past.
Fianna Fáil did not proceed with a motion to reinstate Mr MacSharry to the parliamentary party on Wednesday following a complaint from Sligo Cllr Donal Gilroy over messages sent by Mr MacSharry in a WhatsApp group for local party representatives.
The exchanges were linked to media appearances by Mr Gilroy in recent weeks regarding cardiac services in Sligo University Hospital.
Mr MacSharry told the Sligo Champion in July he had secured a “side deal” with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to secure improved cardiology services at the hospital in exchange for his vote in support of the Government during a Sinn Féin vote of no confidence.
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In an interview with Ocean FM on October 3rd, Mr Gilroy said that notwithstanding the political commitments made to improve services at the hospital “we seem to be no further on than we were back at the early summer when this was announced”.
Mr MacSharry angrily challenged him on this matter in the WhatsApp group, following which Mr Gilroy made a complaint to both Fianna Fáil party headquarters and to the Taoiseach’s office.
Fianna Fáil Chief Whip Jack Chambers told TDs at the parliamentary party meeting that the motion to readmit Mr MacSharry would not proceed because “an issue has arisen”.
In a letter to Fianna Fáil headquarters on Thursday, Mr MacSharry said he was “deeply upset and offended” by Mr Chambers’s comments at the meeting.
“I have spoken to many people who attended the parliamentary party meeting, and all of them have told me that they assumed that a very serious issue of wrongdoing or grossly inappropriate behaviour had arisen in respect of me,” he said.
“Some colleagues have informed me that they assumed that such was the cryptic and serious nature of the chief whip’s comments that I was being subjected to criminal investigation.”
Mr MacSharry said any person against whom a complaint is made is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, and cited a number of Fianna Fáil representatives against whom complaints have been made, pointing out they had not been suspended.
“The rules concerning how Fianna Fáil respond to such a complaint cannot change simply because the person who is complained about is not in favour with the party leadership,” he said.
“I am entitled to due process and consequently it was wrong to stop the motion to readmit me to the parliamentary party proceeding because a complaint had been made against me.”
Of the complaint, Mr MacSharry added: “The use of expletives in discussion with colleagues is not bullying. If it is then political debate in this country will be totally curtailed.
“Also, there are many messages that I’ve received from senior colleagues and advisers within Fianna Fáil that have used expletive language very critical of me. I would never view them as a form of bullying.”
A spokeswoman for Fianna Fáil had no comment when contacted.
Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, the Taoiseach said it was an internal party matter which is being dealt with internally. “I’m not at liberty to comment any further,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Gilroy said: “This is subject to an internal party investigation at the moment and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to say anything.”
