Sinn Féin Justice and Equality spokesperson, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has called on Fianna Fáil to take direct action against Colr Sean McEniff following his latest outburst.
Deputy MacLochlainn demanded FF leader Micheál Martin to outline what measures he intends to take following the comment on RTE’s Morning Ireland, where he repeated his call for the segregation of travellers from settled communities.
The comments this morning follow the burning of a €230,00 house yesterday in Ballyshannon owned by Donegal County Council that was to be allocated to a traveling family.
Gardai are carrying out an investigation into the fire which it is thought was arson.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said the comments are disgraceful.
“Since Cllr McEniff first made his disgraceful and reckless call a number of weeks ago, there has been a deafening silence from his party leader, Mícháel Martin.
“This is an appalling lack of leadership by Fianna Fáil. When it comes to citizens’ rights that party clearly likes to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.
“Last year, Fianna Fáil councillors blocked a motion before Donegal County Council in support of marriage equality for same sex couples even though Mícháel Martin had weeks before chastised the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, across the Dáil chamber on Fine Gael’s position on the issue.
“Not a word of criticism was issued publicly by Míchael Martin after his party’s 11 councillors prevented Donegal County Council supporting the motion,” he said.
He added it was not good enough for Micheál Martin or any other party spokesperson to state that these actions are the ‘personal positions’ of the councillors involved.
“They are not independents. They were all elected under the Fianna Fáil banner and Fianna Fáil must answer for their actions.”
Cllr McEniff however is standing by his comments.
“It is a personal opinion,” he said, “and not at all racist.”