McCafferty exit signals void in Clare Sinn Féin

SINN Féin spokesman Martin Ferris this week confirmed the departure of Shannon Town Councillor Cathy McCafferty from the party but repeatedly refused to divulge what had brought it about.

The Clare Champion contacted Mr Ferris on Wednesday, after being advised to do so by a local Sinn Féin representative but as it turned out, he had very little to say.
Regarding the departure of Sinn Féin’s only representative in Clare, he said. “It was dealt with by the structures in the party at a regional level in consultation with party managers and it’s dealt with now and Sinn Féin is moving on from there. As far as we’re concerned, it’s over and done with.”
Asked if the Derry native had been expelled from Sinn Féin, he commented, “My understanding is that she is no longer in the party”. He was very reluctant to reveal any detail of the background to the split between Councillor McCafferty and the party. “There are times when things don’t work out between members and the party and some people are not compatible with the party position. So we’re moving on from that, it’s over and done with. We’re concentrating on other issues now, on issues that affect people. Every party has occasional internal problems but we have dealt with it, she is no longer a member of the party, to my knowledge.”
Councillor McCafferty was not available for comment on Wednesday.
Ms McCafferty studied politics at NUI Galway and has been living in Shannon for many years.
In 2004, she came very close to capturing a seat on Shannon Town Council for Sinn Féin. However, in the last local election she went one better. taking the seventh seat on the town council.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said when a candidate takes up a seat, he or she is required to sign a document stating he/she will give up the seat if he/she leaves the party for any reason. However, he acknowledged, this can’t be enforced.