Former Sinn Féin councillor joins Labour ranks
Mr Forde highlighted problems with a lack of internal debate and development of policy within Sinn Féin for his decision to resign.
It is the third resignation by a Sinn Féin Dublin city councillor since the June 2009 elections but the first direct move of a former Sinn Féin representative to the Labour party.
Mr Forde, who chairs the city council’s finance committee, is seen as particular loss for Sinn Féin – the 39-year-old Dubliner’s standing within that party was such that he was the European Parliament replacement for former MEP Mary Lou McDonald if she hassecured a Dáil seat in the 2007 general election.
Last night he told the Irish Examiner that he was “saddened to leave Sinn Féin” but felt “there was no alternative if I am to represent the interests of the people of Donaghmede and Dublin to the best of my abilities”.
In recent weeks Mr Forde had been at loggerheads with his four Sinn Féin colleagues on Dublin City Council. He voted for a controversial city budget, which his party opposed, that removed a refuse charges waiver from low income groups.
At the weekend Dublin SF chairman Eoin O’Broin called on Forde to “return” his council seat to SF. This has been ruled out by Mr Forde. The addition to Labour’s existing 19 Dublin city councilors is a significant achievement for Eamon Gilmore – himself a former member of the official Sinn Féin party.
Meanwhile, it emerged last night that SF president Gerry Adams has received a death threat from loyalists. Police told him of the danger posed by a splinter paramilitary group called the Orange Volunteers, which made similar threats to SF’s Gerry Kelly and Caitriona Ruane last week.
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