Dublin In Decline?

 Just what is going on in Dublin?

Yet another high profile resignation for the Shinners, the recent resignation of Killian Forde brings to 3 the number of PSF councillors that have resigned from the party since June!

In 2004 PSF had an impressive 10 councillors in Dublin, today they have a mere 4 (one of which is rumoured to be currently deciding his future in the party).

There were two resignations in Ballyfermot, Tony Smithers and then Lousie Minihan’s defection to éirigí, one in Cabra Nicky Kehoe, one in Crumlin Robbie Sargent, one in North Inner City Christy Burke, one in South West Inner City Andrew O’Connell, and now the resignation of Killian Forde in Donaghmeade. On top of that they lost their only MEP Mary Lou. That is a massive loss for PSF in the capital of Ireland, the place where such a party should be at it's strongest.

In regards to Killian Forde i'm not a big fan of his, his stance on the Dublin City Council budget was nothing short of disgusting. The budget he voted in favour of puts extreme pressure on over 40,000 families with a low income. PSF were in the process of taking action against him when he left taking his seat with him. It looks like he jumped before he was pushed and I actually believe that PSF are glad that he's gone, who wouldn't be glad to get rid of a right wing gobshite?

A number of shinners have said that they knew he had "right wing leanings", if that's the case why did the PSF leadership allow this man to contest elections and why was he chosen to replace Mary Lou in the EU? Surely a person with Right wing leanings would not be allowed anywhere near a so called "Republican party"

It was the same when Lousie Minhan resigned. A number of PSF members raised their concerns about her and according to those members their concerns were ignored by the PSF leadership. Louise contested the election, got elected then resigned taking the seat with her.

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has spoken out against PSF's statement on Killian's resignation and it looks like he isn't too impressed with it. "Politics is a game best played long so I wonder if the language used in this Sinn Féin statement noting Cllr Killian Forde's departure from Sinn Féin ranks on Dublin city council is wise."

The PSF statement that Máirtín is referring to mentioned Killian being "Careerist" and clearly "in the wrong party",

 

Why are these concerns only being raised when he has left? And if Killian was clearly in the wrong party then why was he chosen to replace, political failure, Mary Lou in the EU? Surely if he was tipped to hold such a post he must have been highly thought of.

 

There are also demands being made that he hands his seat back, but those making the demands weren't as vocal when former Orangeman, RUC member and SDLP cllr Billy Leonard joined the shinners taking his SDLP seat with him and likewise a similar situation with Cllr Gerry Murray in Mayo, Thomas Pringle in Donegal, Oliver McMullen in Antrim and many more . Seems to be a case of spitting the dummy out!

I have spoken to several members of PSF about this and when i asked what type of person Killian was i got a mixed response. Some say he was quite humerous and a very hard worker, others said he was a bit too posh and snobbish for their liking.

Things aren't looking to good for the shinners in Dublin, they have lost some good people (and some not so good) and it's obvious they are having serious problems, but one thing i will say is that even though it means one less Councillor, in my opinion they are better off without Killian Forde.