Martin insists Sinn Fein must answer questions

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Micheal Martin have called on Sinn Fein to answer questions about when they learned of Jonathan Dowdall’s links to organised crime.

- LOUISE BURNE

While the party and leader Mary Lou McDonald insist they were not aware of his background, TD Eoin O Broin told RTE yesterday the former Sinn Fein councillor had informed a colleague about a gun attack on his uncle’s home ahead of the 2014 local elections.

Dowdall was sentenced to four years for facilitating the murder of David Byrne in the Regency Hotel in 2016. He was also given a 12-year sentence in 2017 for waterboarding a man.

Speaking in Belfast, Mr Martin said the admission appeared to undermine Ms McDonald’s claim that she was unaware of his criminal links.

He added: “It is very difficult to comprehend the lack of knowledge of what Dowdall was up to when he was elected as a Sinn Fein councillor. Sinn Fein need to clarify that point.”

Mr Varadkar said the party has questions to answer but accepted it was difficult for parties to vet candidates and he “does not believe in guilt by association”.