Thomas Gould's arrest as welcome as a root canal for Sinn Féin leader
Sinn Féin politician Thomas Gould TD. Picture Dan Linehan
Sinn Féin has had a good start to this Dáil.
That is not just this writer's opinion. It is one held across the opposition and among some senior members of Government, who have privately acknowledged that the party — in particular leader Mary Lou McDonald — has "got its mojo back" after a bruising end to 2024 and an election that signalled a standstill rather than a breakthrough in electoral terms.
The Government's inability to kick out of first gear has allowed Sinn Féin and the opposition at large to look more active and agile. The speaking time row has allowed Ms McDonald appear as the leader of a unified and strong opposition. It's an appearance that pointed to a more cohesive opposition bench and, maybe, some of those parties working together to bring about a change in government.
With that in mind, the news that Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould was arrested and questioned by gardaí in relation to his job previous to his 2020 election will have been as welcome as a root canal for Ms McDonald.
Mr Gould and Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins confirmed over the weekend that they had been questioned in relation to a fraud investigation — Mr Collins in early January, with Mr Gould last week.
Both men have asserted their innocence and a file is being prepared for the DPP.
In a statement, Mr Gould — who spoke publicly recently about how he is undergoing treatment for bowel cancer — said he is entirely innocent and utterly rejects the complaint, that his former employer has made against him. The TD said he is confident that his position will be vindicated.
“I am confident that my position will be vindicated having met with the investigating gardaí, where I made a detailed statement,” he said.
Mr Gould said he is "entirely innocent" and "rejects the complaint which my former employer has made against me". He said he had sought quicker interaction with gardaí around the matter.
“ Despite my ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, I proactively requested that my interview with gardaí happen quickly — rather than when my treatment concluded — as I consider this to be a serious attack on my reputation."
Ms McDonald, meanwhile, said that Mr Gould had informed the party in early February of the issue, before he had been been questioned.
“We understand that a number of other people have been questioned as part of garda inquiries. This includes party councillor Kenneth Collins, who worked for the company, and was questioned by gardaí in January," she said.
“They both emphatically deny the allegations. It is now for the gardaí to continue their investigation into the complaint.”
That last line is, believe it or not, something of a good thing for the party as it allows any questions be batted away as the issue remains under investigation.
That is why it was strange to hear junior minister Michael Healy-Rae indicate that he believes that Sinn Féin should answer questions about the matter in the Dáil.
While Fine Gael holds out on doing the same about Senator Martin Conway, there is no reason Sinn Féin should be asked to make statements on a Garda investigation.
The real issue for the party will not be questions in the Dáil, but rather public scrutiny and a break in momentum.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
