Taoiseach Micheál Martin has renewed his claim that Sinn Féin is attempting to shut down public debate by taking defamation cases against media organisations and politicians. Mr Martin used the annual commemoration of Irish patriot Theobald Wolfe Tone to describe Sinn Féin as a party which follows a “narrow, inward-looking or tribal nationalism”.
Speaking at Tone’s graveside in Co Kildare on Sunday, Mr Martin said the public should be appalled by a growing attempt to shut down debate by “one party which refuses to accept the basic accountability accepted by everyone else”. The Taoiseach did not actually mention Sinn Féin by name during his speech but confirmed in comments made afterwards that he had been referring to the party.
“There is something deeply wrong with a party which has built its entire existence on honouring a campaign of violence but now attacks and sues anyone who claims that they supported particular actions within that campaign” he said.
“It’s not just the national broadcaster which is being intimidated, political opponents are now regularly receiving legal threats for statements which no one previously thought could even be controversial.
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“On top of this there is a now regular pattern of aggressive management of the media which means, for example, that party spokespeople are just withdrawn from any place they might be asked questions and basic inquiries are not answered”, he said.
“We need a strong, independent media in our democracy – one which is capable of standing up to bullying and is committed to the sort of high standards of accuracy and balance which only professional journalism has any chance to deliver.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar supported the Taoiseach’s comments on Sunday by saying that while politicians taking defamation cases was not new, recent cases taken by Sinn Féin against media outlets and other politicians seemed different.
“This feels different. More strategic. I know of a number of senior Sinn Féin figures who have sent solicitors’ letters to Government politicians or media organisations. I would like to know if they are taking the financial risk themselves or whether they are backed by the Sinn Féin party.”
He claimed that Sinn Féin should not be using what he portayed was its “massive wealth to stifle debate”.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy responded by describing the Taoiseach’s criticism as “nonsensical comments”.
“Instead of bizarre, fantasy attacks he would be better off focusing his attention on the spiralling cost-of -living crisis, a housing crisis that is worsening by the day, chronic health waiting lists and the climate emergency. That would be a better use of his remaining weeks in office.”
Turning to the current situation in Ukraine, the Taoiseach said the history of Ukraine has been one of great struggles over many centuries to protect its culture and its sense of community. “Core to the fact that Ukrainian identity did survive was a national cultural revival in the 19th century which was very similar to ours. It was poets and historians who gathered together their past and inspired new generations.”
Mr Martin said he was proud of the Irish response to the Ukrainian crisis.
