The then 16-year-old reported Niall Ó Donnghaile’s inappropriate messages to Ogra Sinn Féin members months before action taken

Former Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile sent inappropriate text messages to a third person after resigning from the Seanad, leading to accusations Mary Lou McDonald had ‘emboldened’ him with a glowing reference.

Niall Ó Donnghaile is a former Belfast-based Sinn Féin senator. He previously served as lord mayor of Belfast from 2011 to 2012 and was a councillor on Belfast City Council from 2011 to 2016.

He hails from republican royalty. His father was in the infamous Long Kesh prison with the iconic republican figure, Bobby Sands, who later died on hunger strike.

Former Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has been confirmed as the party member at the centre of an alleged texting controversy. It was reported last weekend that a Sinn Féin member was suspended and later resigned after they allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a teenager.

MARY LOU MCDONALD has come under increased pressure over the resignation of former Sinn Fein senator Niall Ó Donnghaile and the handling of inappropriate text messages he sent to a teenager. Speaking in the Dáil earlier this week,

Sinn Féin does not need to correct the Dáil record over a claim by party president Mary Lou McDonald that the teenager who was texted by a former

Sinn Fein does not need to correct the Dail record over a claim by party president Mary Lou McDonald that the teenager who was texted by a former party senator was 17, a TD has said.

Some party members “want Mary Lou gone” as leader after three weeks of seismic turmoil and multiple controversies for Sinn Féin.