BBC Spotlight last night broadcast an hour-long edition about Maíria Cahill (above, pictured with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams) and her claims of sexual abuse and rape against an alleged IRA member and an alleged subsequent coverup by Sinn Féin.
Spotlight is repeated tonight on BBC Two NI at 11:20pm.
Maíria Cahill ‘told Gerry Adams’ of IRA rape claim (Jennifer O’Leary, BBC NI)
Previously: Staying In Tomorrow Night?
Just informed that I’m not allowed back into the Dáil chamber till tomorrow
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) October 14, 2014
Sinn Féin staged a walkout this evening after Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett was accused of bias by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald.
Deputy McDonald refused to withdraw a remark about the Ceann Comhairle “being deliberately disruptive” and making a “biased intervention“.
It was like 1922 all over again.
Back home in plenty of time for Spotlight on BBC One tonight.
Sinn Féin is neck-and-neck with Fine Gael for the first time, our latest poll shows. http://t.co/rcsWUNuV8p pic.twitter.com/UiXGqlqmxy
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) October 9, 2014
Sinn Féin is neck-and-neck with Fine Gael in popular support for the first time, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.
The poll also shows that Labour has benefited from a modest bounce since the summer Cabinet reshuffle with new Tánaiste Joan Burton now the most popular party leader.
And it appears that the controversy over John McNulty’s Seanad nomination has had no impact on Fine Gael support since the last poll in May.
Enda to grow beard and tweet about teddy bears in desperate bid to win back voters.
Sinn Féin level with Fine Gael, opinion poll shows (Stephen Collins, Irish Times)
*cough*
A Sinn Féin promo for the party’s alternative budget launched by Gerry Adams and Pearse Doherty (top) at the Davenport Hotel, Dublin earlier.
Nice sad music, in fairness.
Meanwhile…
Seems legit.
Enda?
Mr Kenny launched a scathing attack on Sinn Fein’s economic plans after receiving the party’s pre-budget submission. He said the party’s tax proposals would “close down the country” and result in a 73pc cumulative tax rate.
The Taoiseach said the party’s proposals to abolish water charges leaves a €500m black hole in Sinn Fein’s budget strategy.
Enda Kenny: ‘Sinn Fein budget means workers paying tax rates of over 70pc
(Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)
How many?
On this day in 1984, the Irish Navy intercepted the fishing trawler ‘Marita Ann’ off the Kerry coast as it attempted to import seven tonnes of weapons, which included 163 firearms [91 rifles, mostly Armalites and 3 Browning .50 heavy machine guns], and 71,000 rounds of ammunition.
The Sinn Féin TD for North Kerry Martin Ferris was one of five men arrested on the trawler. He was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The Marita Ann was later bought by Barney McKenna of The Dubliners who renamed it ‘Daragh Liam’ and fished out of Howth.
Good times.
Watch the RTÉ News report here.
UPI/Bettmann
Uncomfortable neighbours?? #ploughing pic.twitter.com/fIJdeOXqKf
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) September 24, 2014
Oh.
Dec writes;
“Now I know I have a bias here, but Sinn Fein is voting against the EU association agreement with Ukraine. Apparently they all for self determination except when it comes to Scotland (sound of silence) and Ukraine!”
FIGHT!
Voting here
Newly elected TD Ruth Coppinger, top, (Socialist Party) and newly elected MEP Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) at Leinster House, Dublin this afternoon. Both were at government buildings to join the the Our Children’s Health campaign protest for automatic medical cards for children with serious illnesses.
(Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland)
Elected!!! pic.twitter.com/fGbwjX0iIT
— NiRiada4Europe (@NiRiada4Europe) May 26, 2014
Sinn Féin’s Ní Riada on verge of victory after third count (RTE)
(Top) Brian Hayes and Eamon Ryan (above) calling for a recount.
4am: A night of high drama in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin as the Dublin European election went to a 7th count to decide the final 2 seats.
Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin was the first candidate to be elected on count 3 after recording an initial 83,264 first preferences votes.
By count 7, it came down to Eamon Ryan (Green), Nessa Childers (Ind) and Brian Hayes (Fine Gael) for the remaining two seats.
It ended with victory to Childers (73,598) and Hayes (73,405) with Ryan closely behind on 72,256 votes who immediately asked for a recount.
A decision on whether a recount will be held will be made at 2pm this afternoon. If Brian Hayes is elected, a by-election in Dublin South West will be needed to decide his vacant Dáil seat.
Recount Requested in Dublin Constituency (RTE)
Meanwhile, earlier…
From top: Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) following the third count; and the eliminated: Emer Costello (Labour) with her husband Joe Costello TD and Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail).
(Laura Hutton, Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)