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Politics

17th Jan 2020

Paddy Holohan has been suspended from Sinn Féin with immediate effect

Alan Loughnane

Paddy Holohan suspended Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described comments made by Holohan as “beyond offensive”.

Paddy Holohan has been suspended from Sinn Féin with immediate effect on the back of comments he made on his podcast.

It emerged this week that Holohan had suggested on an episode of his No Shame podcast that the Taoiseach of Ireland should be a family man and that Leo Varadkar’s blood runs back to India.

Holohan, who was elected to the South Dublin County Council for Sinn Féin in 2019, subsequently said his comments were “misinterpreted” by the media.

On Friday morning, JOE revealed that Holohan also suggested on the same podcast that “loads” of underage girls were having sex with men and then blackmailing them for sums of money up to €10,000.

Sinn Féin has now announced that Paddy Holohan has been suspended from the party with immediate effect and a disciplinary process has been initiated.

Speaking to reporters as part of her general election campaign prior to Holohan’s suspension, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said his comments about underage girls were “upsetting” and “beyond offensive.”

“I have moved immediately to the party’s disciplinary procedures, all of that matter is now in hand and disciplinary action will be taken,” McDonald said.

“Obviously the comments themselves are offensive, they’re beyond offensive. I actually find them upsetting. I’m very, very shocked at the comments made and the party’s disciplinary procedure is now activated as we speak.”