Fianna Fáil today said Sinn Féin is not fit to serve in government because of its association with a "private army".
The Minister for Justice Mr O’Donoghue, speaking on RTÉ radio, said it would be impossible for Sinn Féin to discuss sensitive matters of judicial, security or foreign affairs in government.
Apparently ruling out a post-election deal, Mr O’Donoghue said: "[The] truth of the matter is Sinn Fein does have an illegal private army associated with it."
"There can only be one army and one police service in the State."
Mr O’Donoghue’s comments were angrily rejected by Sinn Féin councillor Mr Martin Ferris. He responded; "We don’t have a private army and we do not believe in vigilantism".
He accused Mr O’Donoghue of negative campaigning in an effort to scare voters away from Sinn Féin.
The decision by Fianna Fáil to rule out negotiations with Sinn Féin is hypocritical, added Mr Ferris. He pointed to the Sinn Féin candidates in the Northern Ireland Assembly and on Cross-Border bodies who regularly work with Fianna Fáil.
A TG4/MRBI poll last October indicated that Mr Ferris is marginally behind the near-quota shares of sitting TDs, Mr Jimmy Deenihan of Fine Gael and former Labour Party leader Mr Dick Spring in the Kerry North constituency .