Culture of silence and deflection remains at the heart of Sinn Féin

Mary Lou McDonald reverted to the tried-and-tested tactic of deflection while defending Sinn Féin in the wake of multiple controversies during her lengthy Dáil speech.

Mary Lou McDonald accused her political opponents of attempting to exploit what are a series of scandals, that relate soley to Sinn Féin, for electoral advantage. File Picture: Niall Carson/PA

If Sinn Féin managed to keep disturbing revelations about a senator quiet for so long, what else has the party covered up within the ranks?

Sinn Féin may tout itself as the party of change, but Mary Lou McDonald's handling of multiple ongoing scandals reveals a protectionist culture of silence and deflection that remains very much the standard operating policy.