NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
BY JOANNE FLEMING – 23 MARCH 2015
A former Sinn Fein councillor has launched a scathing attack on the party in a dramatic resignation speech.
Brendan Curran, who later became an independent councillor, alleged Sinn Fein once forced him to “drop the issue” of an alleged paedophile priest because it was “negative campaigning”.
He also accused the party of being operated in parts by a “small, domineering clique who try to remove opposition by gang mentality”.
Mr Curran left Sinn Fein in November, 2013. He served on Newry and Mourne District council for 30 years and made the allegations during his resignation speech at a council meeting.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Curran said the sexual abuse allegations he had raised a number of years ago were of a historical nature.
“The priest is now dead,” he said. “He worked in Co Down and internationally.”
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