Sinn Féin will not release controversial Cork East review

A report into Sinn Féin structures in Cork East which led to the expulsion of one councillor and the suspension of another will not be released, the party's deputy leader has said.

Mary Lou McDonald said it would serve no public purpose to release the findings of the constituency review. She said the party wanted to move on from the controversy.

Speaking at a protest against water charges on Wednesday, she said: “Our primary focus is for people who feel they have grounds to appeal that they have access to whatever documentation they require to make that appeal and that they go through due process.

“Beyond that it wouldn’t be practice in any employment organisation to produce or to publish documentation like that.”

The review led to the expulsion of Councillor Kieran McCarthy from Sinn Féin and the suspension of Melissa Mullane for 12 months.

Mr McCarthy last week said there had been allegations of loans being misappropriated but he insisted these had not been proved. He accused senior party figures of operating a Spanish Inquisition-style system.

Ms Mullane was alleged to have “undermined and marginalised” a party member believed to be sitting TD Sandra McLellan.

Ms McDonald denied there had been mass resignations in Cork East.

Up to 15 members of the Fermoy cumann put forward their resignations last week over the controversy. A further 50-plus members in Cobh resigned later in the week.

Ms McDonald said reports of the 60-plus members quitting the party were “so wide of the mark” and there were not that many people actually signed up in these areas.

“What we are in process of going is settling things and allowing people to appeal if they so wish and getting to the political work.”