Natalie Treacy says Mary Lou McDonald made a mistake in making her give up a council seat and transfer to another area
Former SF councillor Natalie Treacy.
SINN FÉIN has been hit with another departure — after accusations of electoral bungling by Mary Lou McDonald.
Natalie Treacy, a former councillor and perceived go-getter, resigned quietly from the party last week.
Ms Treacy had been a sitting councillor in Castleknock, but was persuaded by party leader Mary Lou McDonald to run in Cabra in the local elections in June.
She was part of a four-candidate strategy that turned into an unmitigated disaster, and Ms Treacy failed to get elected — with the party also failing in the ward she had just vacated.
Ms Treacy told the Irish Independent: “It was a mistake. We lost a seat, my seat, and did not gain any.
“But I do not bear any ill will or bad feeling toward Mary Lou for her decision. It did not work out.”
Ms Treacy said she had resigned from Sinn Féin because of “internal party structures locally” in Dublin West, indicating she did not wish to go into detail.
But she confirmed she would be standing as an Independent against the party in Dublin West, which is becoming a five-seater.
Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly is being joined on the ticket by a relative unknown, Breda Hanaphy, with no place for Ms Treacy.
The former councillor said she had been persuaded to run by people approaching her and asking that she do so.
“I believe I have a record that is second to none, including ten years’ experience on the council.
“People in my area feel there is nobody to represent them, and they have asked me to do so. So that is what I am going to try to do.”
Asked if recent events within the party had anything to do with her decision, Ms Treacy said it was not the case.
“My decision was made before all these things came out. It had to do with local Sinn Féin internal issues.
“I felt I was blocked from running in the General Election — but I will now be doing so. I have listened to the people and I will be asking for their support.’
A Sinn Féin press officer said the party had “nothing to say” at this point in relation to Ms Treacy’s departure or election intentions.
