SDLP suspend Laois manager Justin McNulty for leaving Stormont 'without permission'

The Armagh All-Ireland winner was present at Stormont when the Assembly met to appoint a new power-sharing government but left during proceedings to make the trip south to Wexford, where Laois won 1-19 to 0-12.

FLYING: Laois manager and SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty after the Division 4 GAME AT Wexford Park. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

IT went from an historic Saturday to a bizarre one for Laois football manager Justin McNulty.

Mr McNulty made a dash from Stormont via helicopter to be in situ for Laois' Allianz Football League Division 4 outing with Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park, which threw in at 6pm

But as he was manning the sideline, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) party was suspending the whip from the Newry and Armagh MLA representative.

Their reasoning was that Mr McNulty left Saturday's sitting of the Assembly "without seeking permission - and did not return for important parliamentary business which included the SDLP taking up its role as the official opposition at Stormont."

The Armagh All-Ireland winner was present at Stormont when the Assembly met to appoint a new power-sharing government - but left during proceedings to make the trip south.

Mr McNulty was appointed as manager of Laois in October of 2023 - but there were believed to be tensions within the SDLP over his ability to juggle both roles.

An SDLP spokesperson said: "All SDLP MLAs were informed by the party's chief whip that attendance at today's sitting was mandatory for the duration of the Assembly proceedings.

"This was a historic day that saw the restoration of devolved government, the election of the first nationalist First Minister and leader of the opposition.

People rightly expect their elected representatives to be there for work.

"We expected all members of our team to be there to support their colleagues. Accordingly, Mr McNulty was not in his place, did not seek the permission for his absence and breached the direct instruction of the whip, the SDLP chief whip has suspended the whip with immediate effect."

Laois won the game by 1-19 to 0-12.