Brian Stanley slams 'kangaroo court' as he resigns from Sinn Féin

In a statement this afternoon, Sinn Féin said the issue at the heart of Mr Stanley's departure has been passed to gardaí.

Mr Stanley added that he felt that the inquiry was not impartial and that the party had failed to handle it and other matters.

A second Sinn Féin TD has sensationally quit the party within the last five days.

Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley, who chairs the powerful Public Accounts Committee, made his announcement late on Saturday night, decrying the party for subjecting him to a "kangaroo court".