Mayo TD hits out at Sinn Féin over Dáil walk-out during vote on Special Criminal Court
Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has expressed his profound disappointment at Sinn Féin TDs for walking out of Dáil Éireann during a vote on the Special Criminal Court.
The motions before the Dáil yesterday sought the continuation in force of important provisions in law aimed at combatting terrorism and organised crime.
Deputy Dillon said: “This act of walking off the pitch should leave nobody in any doubt as to where their priorities are when it comes to the security of our Republic.
"Deputy Mary Lou McDonald’s party failed to support the Special Criminal Court on two occasions this week.
"This happened in both the Dáil and the Seanad when votes were put to Oireachtas members. This is the same court which has jailed some of the country’s most notorious criminals.
“This was an deliberately intentional act and is incredibly disrespectful to the victims of those who have been jailed by the court.
"They didn’t even opt to use the abstention button in the Dáil last night.
"They took the more dramatic approach and walked out en masse.
"It is crystal clear they were following orders from central command and their actions spoke loudly to those who direct their operations on our island.”
“The Special Criminal Court protects Irish citizens against threats posed by terrorism and organised crime.
"By way of background, Justice Minister, Heather Humphreys, brought motions before the Seanad and Dáil this week to renew the Offences Against the State Act and the Criminal Justice Act for another year.
“It is clear from their actions Sinn Féin stand against the Special Criminal Court, the judiciary, as well as law and order.
"I am incredibly disappointed by their actions and had serious reservations about giving them the oxygen they crave by what are essentially political theatrics, but I am far more compelled to call-out a threat to the security of our country," he added.
Sinn Féin last year said they wanted an independent review of the laws around the Special Criminal Court.
A review group has since been appointed, and Sinn Féin said they would therefore not oppose the legislation this year as the review is ongoing.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, meanwhile, says the court "continues to represent the single biggest denial of fair trial rights in our legal system."