Sinn Féin have courted criticism for brandishing a divisive photograph in the Dáil chamber on Wednesday of a seemingly unfortunate man seen sitting and drinking from a can near the school, close to where the stabbing attack in Dublin took place last Thursday.
The principal opposition party leader Mary Lou McDonald tweeted the image from an area which is near Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square drawing anger and disgust from some.
On Thurs 3 small children & a teacher randomly & viciously stabbed here at Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire. This is pick up time at same school yesterday. For all the hot air and diversions NO lessons have been learned by Govt. NO care or respect. No political accountability. pic.twitter.com/Pr0wk34ClH
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) November 29, 2023
During Leaders’ Questions, Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly held up the image in the Dáil as she addressed under-fire Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
“Minister, this is what greeted those children six days after the traumatic and horrific event that happened to three of their classmates and one of their staff members.
The school is terrified and traumatised. The school community wants answers and leadership and they are getting neither from you.
This picture represents what Dublin city feels like to Dubliners on your watch, Minister. You should resign.”
In response, Minister McEntee said that everyone has a “role to be responsible in this House”, adding “I think you should consider that before you start waving pictures around.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik was similarly unimpressed: “Undoubtedly, there’s been grandstanding from opposition, including waving of a photograph of an identifiable person in this House. That’s an outrageous action, that’s outrageous action, that’s outrageous grandstanding and I want to call that out.”
Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan criticised the tweet:
“There is no need to tweet this man’s photo as if there is a direct link to people who live or occupy inner city streets and the events of last week. This is ill advised and unfair.”
Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin branded Deputy O’Reilly’s actions in the Dáil as “disgusting”.
“Absolutely disgusting behaviour by SF in the Dáil chamber today waving a printed out photograph of a clearly vulnerable individual,” he said.
Ó Ríordáin said McDonald’s tweet was “outrageous from someone who wants to be Taoiseach”, adding “If a FG minister did this they’d have to resign,” he added.
Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly address Dáil – Wednesday November 29-2023 – Credit- Instagram: @sinn_fein
