Sinn Féin’s Niall Ó Donnghaile continued to be paid after resignation and received termination lump sum

Mary Lou McDonald accused of orchestrating an ‘elaborate cover-up’ for failing to divulge real reason for former SF senator Niall Ó Donnghaile’s sudden resignation from the Seanad last yearPolitician at centre of controversy was paid for months after resignationMary Lou said she did not tell the Houses of the Oireachtas the reason for his sudden departure because she was concerned about his mental healthMichelle O’Neill says there are ‘no questions’ around McDonald’s leadership of Sinn Féin

In an unprecedented Dáil debate on child protection, Ms McDonald was forced to admit Mr Ó Donnghaile resigned from Sinn Féin after it emerged he sent inappropriate text messages to a teenager and another party member.

The Sinn Féin leader admitted he resigned from the party and the Seanad on October 5 last year, but it was not until four days before Christmas that she announced his departure along with a statement wishing him the best and thanking him for his work.

It can now…