Eoin Hayes to sit as independent after suspension from Social Democrats

Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes initially refused to confirm when he sold the shares, saying he divested from them before he entered politics in June

Eoin Hayes (centre) repeatedly told the media on Tuesday morning that he had sold off his shares in Palantir before he entered politics. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Eoin Hayes has confirmed that he will sit as an independent following his suspension from the Social Democrats on Tuesday.

Mr Hayes was suspended from the parliamentary party with immediate effect after he admitted lying about when he sold shares in a controversial US company that has been providing the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) with artificial intelligence tools.