Former senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has revealed that he is the Sinn Féin member at the centre of the latest controversy to embroil the party.
In a statement provided to The Irish News, the one-time Belfast lord mayor confirms that in September last year he sent inappropriate messages.
It has reported that the messages were sent to a teenager and that the PSNI was notified but that no formal complaint from any person was received.
In his statement Mr Ó Donnghaile said that, in consultation with Sinn Féin, he accepted that his behaviour warranted stepping down from his Seanad role and as a party member: “This would also give me the space to focus on improving my health and wellbeing, issues that I have been dealing with my doctor on since mid-2021.”
The former senator, who stepped down in December last year citing health grounds, said he regrets deeply any upset caused to the recipient of the messages, which he apologises for.
“I also accept that I have caused great embarrassment to myself, my family, friends and former colleagues – this was never my intention,” he said.
“Since resigning from political and public life almost a year ago and now as a private citizen, my main focus has been on improving my mental health and also supporting a relative through a challenging period of ill-health - this remains my priority and I ask that I and all those concerned are allowed to move on, with our privacy respected.”
Mr Ó Donnghaile said he would be making no further comment.
