Mary Lou regrets Nolan’s resignation

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she regrets the resignation from Sinn Féin today of Deputy Carol Nolan, describing it as as disappointing but not surprising.

The Offaly TD tendered her resignation to the party on Tuesday in the wake of a vote at the party's Ard Fheis in Belfast at the weekend to not allow members a 'conscience vote' on the issue of abortion.

“I feel that as a Pro-Life Republican woman that I no longer have a place in this party which doesn't recognise or show genuine respect for the Pro-Life views of members,” she said.

Describing the Ard Fheis vote as 'disappointing', she said: “I want to thank all of the 24 cumainn who put forward motions on the need for a conscience vote on the abortion issue. I feel that it is unethical to force TDs who are strongly opposed to abortion to vote against their conscience.

“Every TD in Leinster House is directly responsible for the laws that they enact, if a TD votes for abortion they are responsible for all abortions that happen in this state.

“I do not want to have any hand, act or part in bringing about the end to the life of an unborn child, the most vulnerable in our society.

“I cannot and will not support abortion and for that reason I have made a decision to leave Sinn Fein. I want to assure the constituents that I represent in Offaly/ North Tipperary that I will continue to work hard on their behalf and that I will continue to represent them as an Independent TD in Dáil Éireann.”

The Sinn Fein leader said however that "Sinn Féin made every effort to give its members space and latitude to articulate a position contrary to the party’s position in the recent referendum campaign on Repeal of the 8th Amendment".

“The people have spoken on this issue. The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis has democratically agreed the party’s position to support the forthcoming leglislation.

It's unclear at the time of going to press (Thursday) whether the Cadamstown native will contest the next election as an Independent.