Former Sinn Féin Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has revealed he is the party member suspended for sending inappropriate texts.

Mr Ó Donnghaile said in a statement he accepted his actions warranted resignation from the party.

The inappropriate texts to a teenager were sent in September of last year and in December he resigned from the Seanad citing ill health.

"Over a year ago I sent inappropriate messages which, in consultation with the party, I accept warranted my stepping down from my role as a Senator and Sinn Féin member; this would also give me the space to focus on improving my health and wellbeing, issues that I have been dealing with my doctor on since mid-2021," he said.

"At the time I made myself available to the PSNI - at no stage was I spoken to by them or any other agency. The PSNI confirmed that no offences had occurred.

"I regret deeply the upset caused to the recipient of these messages and apologise sincerely for that. I also accept that I have caused great embarrassment to myself, my family, friends and former colleagues - this was never my intention."

Mr Ó Donnghaile said since resigning from political and public life almost a year ago his "main focus has been on improving my mental health and also supporting a relative through a challenging period of ill-health".

"This remains my priority and I ask that I and all those concerned are allowed to move on, with our privacy respected," he added.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is due to make a statement to the Dáil on the issue this evening.

No formal complaint was made by the teenager involved to the PSNI and so it has not been investigated.