PDs dare SF to ditch their sharp suits

MEET Patricia O’Neill — the PDs’ secret weapon in the election campaign.

Draped in republican paraphernalia, the would-be sister of anonymous IRA spokesman, P. O’Neill, was unveiled by the Progressive Democrats’ Junior Shinner Basher Fiona O’Malley.

Similar to a number of PD figures, the model has a wooden personality and is pretty devoid of charisma, but effective nonetheless.

Querying why Sinn Féin candidates don’t wear the clothes on sale in the Sinn Féin shop, to show their true colours, the Daughter of Des O’Malley said the public was instead getting a catwalk of sharp suits.

“I dare Sinn Féin candidates to wear their own Sinn Féin clothes on television and out canvassing,” she said.

PD Roscommon Cllr Hugh Lynn bravely went where no PD has gone before by strolling into the Sinn Féin shop to buy the items of clothing at a bargain price of €66. The clothes include:

An “IRA Undefeated Army” T-shirt.

A black windcheater with crossed rifles “Tiocfaidh ár lá” logo.

Black ski-hat with the same logo.

‘Sniper At Work’ badge.

Also brandishing a CD entitled Stuff Your Decommission, Ms O’Malley claimed the clothes cast doubt on the party’s commitment to exclusively peaceful and democratic means.

“This merchandise celebrates murder and violence. It is funding each Sinn Féin candidate in these elections. I say to Sinn Féin: ‘Stop the hypocrisy. Stop the lies. Wear your own clothes’,” she said.

But Sinn Féin were none too impressed by the Daughter of Des flaunting their wares across town.

Accusing Ms O’Malley of election gimmickry, Sinn Féin Dublin European election candidate Mary Lou McDonald was dismissive of the fashion show’s merits.

“This type of lark will not distract people from the record of the Government and will not distract people from the issues on the ground,” she said.

“It’s just more of the same. It’s a cheap tactic and is just very silly. I am the candidate for Dublin in the European election but I have to say if it is coming to the stage where I am being asked for my views on T-shirts I think it just reflects the level to which the PDs wish to drag down the debate,” she added.

The lack of appreciation of the display was shared by the male wing of the party, with Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snódaigh describing the stunt as silly and a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the real issues of the election campaign.

P O’Neill was unavailable for comment.

The PDs promised that Patricia O’Neill will return.