It is “common sense” to deport immigrants who commit serious crimes, the leader of Sinn Féin has said.
Mary Lou McDonald’s comments come after it was reported that the party’s integration spokesperson, Roscommon-Galway candidate Claire Kerrane, had deleted a social media post in which she called for deportation to be considered for any immigrant who commits a crime.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Waterford on Saturday, Ms McDonald said: “What Claire said is just a matter of plain common sense.”
Ms McDonald said the comments are in line with Irish law, which permits the removal of an individual to their country of origin if they have committed a serious or violent crime.
If someone has been living in Ireland for more than 10 years or is a child, the order can only be made in the interests of public security.
The Sinn Féin leader said: “Where somebody is convicted of a serious violent offence, there is the option to return that person to their home state, or to their country of origin. That, to me, just makes sense.
“This is about community safety. This is about where a crime is committed, that there is a sanction and a penalty for it, just as if an Irish person in Australia were to commit a serious offence, they’d be sent packing – and rightly so.”
On Friday, The Journal reported that Ms Kerrane stood by the deleted post but was not trying to conflate immigration with crime.
She told the news website: “My point is, if you come to Ireland and you commit a crime, then I think deportation should be on the table.”
Asked if Ms Kerrane had been instructed to delete the post, Ms McDonald said: “No, and to be honest I didn’t even see the post.
“But that’s our position on the substantive issue, and it’s not a new one for us. That just makes logical sense. If you commit a crime, you’re punished for it, right? Irrespective of who you are.”
Earlier this year, Ms McDonald announced that Sinn Féin had conducted an internal review after performing well below its own expectations in the local and European elections.
She revealed that senior figures in Sinn Féin were “disappointed” with her engagement with the party’s base.
Ms McDonald was told that she needed to offer more clarity on its policies, including on immigration.
Meanwhile, People Before Profit (PBP) said it is “not too late” for Sinn Féin to rule out a coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.
It comes after Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald refused to rule out such a partnership in the future.
Ms McDonald reiterated her preference for a new government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil – but again stopped short of ruling out joining them in coalition.
She maintained that the party’s “proposition could not be clearer to the people”.
Ms McDonald added: “After a century of government led by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, we want a new government led by Sinn Féin without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.
“That’s our proposition. That is the basis upon which we are running a record number of candidates.”
Ms McDonald previously said she would not insult voters by saying she would not engage with specific parties after the election.
However, PBP representative Paul Murphy reacted on Saturday by saying it would be a “real insult to prop up” Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.
Mr Murphy instead appealed to Sinn Féin, as well as the Social Democrats, to join PBP in guaranteeing no such future coalition.
The candidate for Dublin South West said: “People Before Profit – Solidarity is not insulting voters by ruling out coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
“We are giving people a commitment that votes for us will never be used to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.
“The real insult that has been delivered many times in the past by Labour, the Greens and various independents is to campaign on the promise of change, and then use those votes to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.
“It is not too late for Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats to join with People Before Profit in ruling out coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and committing to a left government.
“That would inspire people to come out and vote to end 100 years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rule.”
