Sinn Féin expel Laois party member following arrest of partner in Garda far right probe

Sinn Féin has expelled a party member in Laois after her partner was arrested as part of a  cross border investigation into a planned terrorist attack by a far right extremist group. 

Sinn Féin’s National Chairperson Declan Kearney today confirmed that the partner of a female member of the party had been arrested as part of the investigation into last week’s arrest in Portlaoise of two alleged far right extremists.

Mr. Kearney said: “We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far right elements. The far right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members’ homes and offices and more recently violent actions. We have worked carefully with the Gardaí, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.”  

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Man arrested in Laois in connection with cross border terror investigation

Mr. Kearney said: “Last week’s arrest of two individuals alleged to be far right extremists has caused huge concern across the country. It was the speedy action of Gardaí which prevented potentially devastating events occurring. The party was informed on Friday night that the home of a female party member and her partner had been raided and he has since been arrested.

“The female party member was expelled from the party on Saturday evening as she failed to notify the party that her home was raided or inform the party about the associated seriousness of this situation. 

“We will not allow our party to be exposed to any far right elements. The far right have targeted our party for several years now with death threats, pickets on members’ homes and offices and more recently violent actions. Sinn Féin will not be intimidated. We have worked carefully with the Gardaí, who have been active and vigilant in the face of these threats.
“As this is a live and serious Garda investigation we cannot say anymore at this time.”