Pro-Life TD Peadar Tóibín Resigns from Sinn Féin

15.11.2018

Peadar Tóibín has resigned as a member of Sinn Féin. In a statement, the TD for Meath West said he took the decision “with a heavy heart”. He is the second TD to resign from the party this year over its refusal to accommodate pro-life members. Carol Nolan, TD for Offaly, resigned from Sinn Féin in June after the party renewed its determination not to allow free votes on matters of conscience.

In his statement, Mr Tóibín, who had been suspended from the party for six months after voting against abortion legislation, said that in November 2012 the Sinn Féin leadership had agreed a written deal with him which stated he would not be marginalised due to his views on abortion. He said this deal worked well for four years, but was “binned unilaterally” 18 months ago.

“I have lost speaking rights, spokespersons positions, portfolios and have been significantly censored in my engagements with the media. These actions have prevented me from fully representing my constituents,” he said.

Mr Tóibín, a member of Sinn Féin for 21 years, had actively campaigned for a No vote during the referendum on the eighth amendment, even though his party had supported a Yes vote.

The Meath West TD has been suspended from the party twice. He was suspended for six months in 2013 after voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

In his statement, issued on Twitter, he said he raised issues with party leadership “many times” in an effort to resolve them, with no success. He said that an email to the party’s chairman, copied to party whip Aengus Ó Snodaigh and leader Mary-Lou McDonald, had gone unanswered.

“I have strived in every way I know how simply to make space within the party for people with a different view on this one issue. For a United Ireland to be achieved, the party must be flexible, broad and inclusive,” he said.

Mr Tóibín indicated he now intends to build a new 32-county movement.

RTÉ. November 15.