Embattled former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley at 'Streetfest' in Portlaoise

A controversy that has engulfed Sinn Féin and its former Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley has stopped the former candidate from appearing in public with other politicians and in the heart of his Laois constituency in Portlaoise.

The now-independent representative attended the O'Moore Place Street Feast on Sunday, October 21 a week after resigning from Sinn Féin.

Apart from local people in an estate where the TD once lived, others present included Dep Stanley's wife Caroline Dwane Stanley who is a Sinn Féin Laois county councillor for the Portlaoise Municipal District.

Both were pictured at the event which was party of a Laois Climate Action Festival with Cllr Willie Aird who also represents Portlaoise and is running for Fine Gael in the General Election.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live was not present on Sunday, October 20 but subsequently asked the TD if climate change be a manifesto item in his election campaign.

He was also asked about other items that would be on his manifesto and if he would confirm if he would run to retain his Dáil seat in the General Election.

It was his first public appearance since his resignation from Sinn Féin following a party inquiry into a complaint made against him by a woman whom his former party leader Mary Lou McDonald said was left very “traumatised and distressed”. Dep Stanley has said he has the subject of 'character assassination' and the victim of a 'kangaroo court'.

However, Dep Stanley has also said he would be making no further statement and would not address the Dáil on the matter.

His wife Cllr Dwane Stanley has yet to comment on the controversy or make her intentions clear about her future in Sinn Féin.  She or her party have yet to comment on her membership. Cllr Dwane Stanley has attended council meetings since her husband's resignation including an in person attendance at Laois County Council on October 21.