Sinn Fein's only elected representative in Co. Clare has claimed that the party is being unfairly smeared by the media and by their political opponents.
The comments from Mike McKee of Shannon come as the political crisis continues in the North, and as Unionists express doubts about the future of power-sharing.
This is in light of the suspected involvement of IRA members in the murder of Kevin McGuigan in Belfast, but Councillor McKee says he's certain that the paramilitary group is "dead and gone".
He thinks the issue is being exploited by others for their own gain.