Sinn Féin leader under pressure to clarify links with Dowdall

Claims that the party had 'more than an inkling' about the former councillor’s background

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is under renewed pressure to fully explain her relationship with criminal Jonathan Dowdall.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is under renewed pressure to fully explain her relationship with criminal Jonathan Dowdall following claims her party had “more than an inkling” about the former councillor’s background.

Government ministers, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, have called on Ms McDonald to provide clarity after it was claimed that Sinn Féin officials discussed a 2011 shooting incident at Dowdall’s uncle’s home with him before the local elections in 2014.