Brian Stanley is being urged to speak out publicly about the events that led to his resignation from Sinn Féin.

The Laois/Offaly TD departed the party over the weekend claiming that he had been subjected to a flawed internal inquiry which he described as a ‘kangaroo court’.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has rejected his claims, insisting that his rights were protected throughout the process and pointing out that he had a solicitor and barrister with him during the disciplinary panel meeting.

She confirmed that the matter has now been referred to the Gardaí.

Disciplinary panel

Deputy McDonald said the disciplinary panel was set up after a complaint was made against Deputy Stanley by a “longstanding member of the party”,

During the process, she said, further information was brought forward which resulted in a “counter-allegation being made”.

she has described both allegations as "serious" in nature.

“We will not ignore or hide away from difficult issues when they arise,” she said.

“These are not outcomes that anyone likes to see but let me be clear, we have robust procedures for dealing with these issues and they will be followed at all times and apply equally to all members of the party.”

Brian Stanley

In a statement yesterday, Deputy Stanley said the internal inquiry “lacked objectivity, was seriously flawed and was devoid of impartiality”.

He said the inquiry lacked “any shred of credibility” and said he was leaving the party as he no longer had confidence in it.

Public

Speaking to Newstalk, Sinn Féin justice spokesperson Pa Daly said Deputy Stanley should speak out publicly about the incident.

“He, I understand, was allowed to make a counter-complaint in relation to the whole incident,” he said.

“If he does feel that is the case, maybe he should make his version of events public at this stage.

“Rather than just saying that he feels he was unfairly treated, he should maybe give his version of events.”

Dissapointed

He said he was disappointed with Deputy Stanley’s response.

“Later on in the day when I realised some of the things he had said in his statement, I was disappointed that he had gone down that line with it, with the nature of the investigation,” he said.

“Obviously a complaint was made against him in an internal party process.

“The party had put the complainant’s version of events to him and he had responded.”

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin has said a preliminary report on its inquiry had been sent to both Deputy Stanley and the person who initially made the complaint against him last week.

At the same time, outside legal advice was sought by the party and the matter has since been referred to Gardaí.

The internal process has now been suspended.

Deputy Stanley’s resignation came days after Kildare TD Patricia Ryan quit the party, claiming she felt “pushed” out by party leadership.

The party has also been dealing with the fallout from the Michael McMonagle work references scandal.