Publican urges Sinn Féin to apologise over ‘intimidation’

A LEITRIM publican has called on Sinn Féin to apologise after some of its members were part of a so-called gang that threatened a couple in his pub last week.

James O’Mahoney from Manorhamilton said it was time for the party to put the record straight and clear the pub’s name.

The gardaí have sent a file to the DPP after six men were arrested and questioned about an alleged incident in the pub.

Mr O’Mahoney said his pub was not used for drug deals and the man and woman targeted were not drug dealers. “Neither this man or his partner are drug dealers and Sinn Féin are now using this as (an excuse) for the actions of these men, two of whom are their members.

“This was intimidation, which had its origins in an argument between one of the six men and one of the group they attacked.

“The men were drunk but that does not excuse what happened. You don’t bring in a hurley to a pub for a quiet chat.

“It is time they set the record straight. We run a very clean house here as can be verified by the gardaí.

“Sinn Féin have caused us untold damage and damaged the name of Manorhamilton. There are rumours flying around now that we are a drugs town and they need to rectify this,” he said.

Mr O’Mahoney said his pub was not affiliated to any particular party.

“Sinn Féin are not the police, judge or jury and they are certainly not the punishers, that is the function of the gardaí.

“The gardaí are doing a good enough job here and we are very shocked by what happened.

“We don’t want to be portrayed as a drugs town, a racist town or an IRA town. We are a quiet north-western town as opposed to a wild western town,” Mr O’Mahoney added. Sinn Féin councillor Michael Colreavey said the two party members should apologise to the publican and the people in a private capacity.

“Sinn Féin does not condone what happened and anyone with information on drugs or other crimes should contact the gardaí.

“The O’Mahoneys are decent people and they run a decent establishment, but it would be wrong to say there is no drug problem in Manorhamilton,” said Mr Colreavey.

However, he questioned how much publicity a row in a pub involving Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael members would get.