Stanley says McDonald handled matter 'appallingly'

Former Sinn Féin TD and now Independent TD Brian Stanley has accused Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald of handling a matter relating to him "appallingly" and said that she has not been in touch with him.

When asked about Sinn Féin upholding an allegation of sexual harrasment and a making preliminary finding of misconduct on his part, Mr Stanley said: "Sinn Féin are not judge, jury and they are certainly not executioner."

He said he was "actually delighted" that Sinn Féin referred the disciplinary matter around him to the gardaí.

"I entered into a confidential process - that's what I was told by Sinn Féin.

"Not everybody kept it confidential, and Sinn Féin certainly didn't - but I did, I was bound by that, the party didn't do it," he said.

Mr Stanley said that he had spoken to An Garda Síochána about the matters referred to them by Sinn Féin.

He said he spoke to gardaí about "serious matters".

Mr Stanley would not say if he has made a complaint to gardaí citing legal advice that he is adhering too.

He added: "There is no investigation into me."

Mr Stanley made the comments while speaking to reporters in Portlaoise, where he was one of the local dignitaries invited to a sod turning ceremony for a new garda station.

He said he had been in two minds about running as an Independent candidate in the general election.

However, Mr Stanley said that constituents and former members of Sinn Féin "over the past few weeks" have told him that he "should run, saying that it's important and they felt I was a very effective local TD".

He said his family encouraged him and were pushing him to stand as well, adding his focus now is the election and representing the people of Co Laois.