Brian Stanley wanted complaint against him referred to gardaí sooner

Mary Lou McDonald: 'I want to be clear here: I am not in a position to say whether or not the complaint or the counter-allegation meet the standard for criminal investigation'

Brian Stanley. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to comment on the specifics of a complaint against former party TD Brian Stanley, and said she stands over the party's decision to refer the matter to An Garda Síochána over the weekend.

Speaking on Monday, Ms McDonald said that if the initial complaint made by a longstanding party member against Mr Stanley had been criminal in nature, it would have immediately been passed to gardaí. She said this only happened on Sunday out of "an abundance of caution".