Mary Lou McDonald insists Sinn Féin funds not from IRA

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted she is 100% certain that no money from the Provisional IRA or linked criminality has been used to fund her party.

She rejected questions from rival political parties over where the paramilitary body’s vast warchest has gone since it was officially decommissioned 10 years ago, saying the “blanket assertions” are “cynical manoeuvres” to lessen Sinn Féin’s public support.

She was responding to claims from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that there are questions over Sinn Féin’s “enormous resources” and news the Garda Criminal Assets Bureau will provide an updated report on where the money has gone.