3 hours Ago By Staff Reporter
Brian Stanley is to contest the upcoming general election as an Independent republican candidate. The former Sinn Fein TD resigned from the party weeks ago amid a controversy relating to a complaint made about Mr Stanley. In a statement to Laois Today, Mr Stanley said he has been “encouraged by countless” people to put his name forward to contest the election.
Mr Stanley has been a TD for Laois-Offaly since 2011, and was first elected to Laois County Council in 1999. Following his resignation from Sinn Fein, Mr Stanley said that he was subjected to a “character assassination” by a clique within the party and likened its processes to a kangaroo court. A number of reports over the weekend published contents from the party’s draft report into the complaint and counter-allegation made by Mr Stanley.
“Having been out around the county over the past three weeks, I have been encouraged by countless people from various backgrounds to put my name forward as an Independent and who have pledged their support,” Mr Stanley said. “I have also received commitments of assistance with campaigning from people in all areas, including those who have resigned from Sinn Fein. “I will be standing on a platform of progressive republican policies and if elected will be working to improve public services, protect workers and families, and address the housing crisis.
“To the best of my ability, I will use the experience gained over 12 years as a councillor and almost 14 years as a TD, to represent the interests of the people of Laois in the Dail. “I pledge 100% commitment to serving their interests and to campaigning for a fairer society. “I want to sincerely thank the people in Laois and Offaly who have supported me in successive elections and for the many kind messages sent to me and my family over the past few weeks.
“In the recent past, there has been a sustained attempt by a micro group, with their own agenda, to carry out a campaign of character assassination against me and damage my reputation. “I am prepared to stand on my record of work of over four decades of political activism and let the good people of Laois judge for themselves whether I should represent them in the 34th Dail.” Earlier this week, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald backed the party’s handling of the complaint.
“The initial complaint, and then the secondary allegation, as I set out in detail, were dealt with by the book, utterly, appropriately and respecting everybody’s rights to process, to fair play. It was, of course, a confidential process,” Ms McDonald said. “We have dealt with it appropriately.
We have dealt with it fully and we took the decision, which I presume you now understand, to refer matters to An Garda Siochana. “We have now discharged all of our responsibilities fully.”.
