Sinn Féin Presses Secretary Of State On Inquiry And Casement Park

A Sinn Féin delegation, comprising party leader Mary Lou McDonald TD, Deputy Leader Michelle O'Neill MLA, and MP John Finucane, met with British Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP in Belfast today, urging political action on several key issues.

Following the meeting, Mary Lou McDonald stated that the delegation pressed the Secretary of State to comply with a recent Court of Appeal ruling regarding the murder of Seán Brown. The court had deemed the British Government's refusal to hold a public inquiry into the 1997 loyalist killing "unlawful and cannot stand," and granted the Secretary of State four weeks to respond.

"Our delegation urged the British Secretary of State to heed both the Courts and the widow of murdered GAA official and father of six, Seán Brown, who was murdered by a loyalist gang in 1997, and to do the right thing by granting a full public inquiry," McDonald said. "With that deadline approaching, we impressed upon Mr Benn the need to act – both to ensure legal accountability and to deliver truth and justice to Mrs Bridie Brown and her family." The delegation also raised the issue of the redevelopment of Casement Park, a GAA stadium in Belfast. McDonald highlighted the recent public demonstration of support for the project and emphasised the need for clarity on the British Government's financial contribution.

"The Secretary of State informed us that a bid has been made to London and a decision is expected in June," she said. "Sinn Féin is fully committed to delivering Casement Park in the Executive. It is a necessary project, long overdue, and enjoys widespread public support across Ulster and the entire island. What we need now is swift, decisive action."

Finally, the meeting addressed the growing political discourse surrounding constitutional change and the potential for a border poll. Sinn Féin reiterated its stance that the Irish Government should initiate preparations for an inclusive public dialogue on the matter.

"Sinn Féin believes the Irish Government must begin preparations for an inclusive, informed public conversation involving all parties across the island," McDonald stated. "It is also imperative that the British Government recognise the significant change now underway and that they embrace the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to hold a referendum and give people the democratic freedom to support Irish reunification, or the constitutional future they wish to live in."