Sinn Fein insists it was working “extremely hard” to resolve challenges at constituency level before Violet-Anne Wynne’s resignation.
The Kilrush-based Deputy has left the party today following what she describes as ‘psychological warfare’.
Violet-Anne Wynne topped the poll in Clare’s constituency in the 2020 general election, amassing nearly 9,000 first preference votes in the process.
It was the first Sinn Fein seat won in this county for nearly a century.
Now, nearly two years on, she’s tendered her resignation from the party and will see out the rest of her Dail term as an Independent.
The Kilrush resident claims she was subjected to “gaslighting measures” and “psychological warfare” and that the issues leading to her resignation were mainly at a local level.
Deputy Wynne has recently given birth to her sixth child and is on “some form” of maternity leave, with her accusing Sinn Fein of using her “unplanned pregnancy” as a “stick to beat her with”.
Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, Donnchadh O’Laoghaire, says he wasn’t aware of any issues.
Her resignation has sparked widespread surprise in political circles in this county.
Former Mayor of Clare and Independent Councillor, Patricia McCarthy, says she’s particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding Deputy Wynne’s decision.
Sinn Fein’s Deputy Whip Denise Mitchell has released a statement saying that she is “so very sorry” to hear of Violet-Anne Wynne’s decision.
She says the party ‘worked extremely hard’ to resolve ongoing challenges at constituency level, with that work continuing.
The statement says Sinn Fein was to attempt to continue resolving those issues when Deputy Wynne returned from maternity leave, and that the party wishes her and her family the best for the future.
Ennis-based Clare Fine Gael member Geraldine Gregan has also been among those reacting to the news locally.
Clare will now have two Independent TD’s in the Dail in Deputy Wynne and Scariff-based Michael McNamara, with Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey and Fianna Fail’s Cathal Crowe accounting for the county’s other two seats until the end of parliament’s current term.
