Sinn Féin denies trying to silence Laois councillor

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Pearse Doherty TD has denied the party had tried to silence Laois Councillor Aidan Mullins. 

The Portarlington based councillor quit Sinn Féin last week after the party decided to impose a three month suspension following a complaint by one of its members about Cllr Mullins’ social media posts.

Cllr Mullins had said he felt the party was trying to silence him when he raised legitimate questions about issues on topics such as immigration. 

Cllr Mullins, who had been a member of Sinn Féin since 1973, will remain on at Laois County Council as an Independent Councillor in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.

Speaking earlier today, Deputy Doherty said he had already responded to the question of whether the party had moved to silence Cllr Mullins. 

“It is not the culture of Sinn Fein to silence people,” he insisted. 

However, he said the party had internal rules like other parties. 

Dep Doherty said he was “disappointed” to learn of Cllr Mullins’ departure from the party. 

“I wish him well,” he added.