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Sinn Féin MLA tweeted Romanian group support despite Belfast trust concerns

Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir had tweeted his support for RRCANI after allegations were published online
Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir had tweeted his support for RRCANI after allegations were published online Sinn Féin MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir had tweeted his support for RRCANI after allegations were published online

A SINN Féin MLA tweeted his support for the Romanian Roma Community Association of Northern Ireland (RRCANI) just weeks after Belfast health chiefs told him of their concerns about the organisation.

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir took to Twitter in August to publicly defend RRCANI following anonymous claims online which alleged Romanians in the city were being exploited.

The South Belfast MLA said police had told him there were "no investigations underway", adding that he was "proud to stand with RRCANI".

The following week the PSNI said it was "making enquiries into possible wrongdoing" after the online claims.

Belfast trust correspondence obtained by The Irish News shows whistleblowers contacted the trust alleging that RRCANI was charging Roma families for benefits advice and "fraudulently filling out benefits applications without their consent". RRCANI has denied the allegations.

Read more:

  • Emails reveal health chiefs' fears over 'exploitation' of Belfast Roma
  • PSNI unclear on 'no investigations' line on Belfast Roma concerns

Following the concerns, the trust moved children's services in May from RRCANI to another location.

Correspondence shows that in May, Mr Ó Muilleoir wrote to the trust criticising the decision as a "worrying denial of rights". He sought a meeting and outlined a press release he was issuing on the matter.

Martin Dillon, Belfast Trust chief executive, responded to Mr Ó Muilleoir on June 8 and agreed to a meeting.

He said the decision was "based on concerns have been reported to us by individuals and partner organisations in relation to advice services delivered to RRCANI", and that "staff felt vulnerable while these issues were addressed".

He added: "I understand a senior member of my public health team contacted your office on June 1 to explain our position and to clarify the temporary nature of the measure we have taken."

An email on August 3 also refers to a "discussion between Martin Dillon and Máirtín Ó Muilleoir some weeks ago" relating to the matter.

When asked why Mr Ó Muilleoir had given his backing to RRCANI after being made aware of the concerns, a party spokeswoman said: "We wouldn't want to make any comment during a police inquiry."

The Romanian Roma Community Association for Northern Ireland is based in south Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
The Romanian Roma Community Association for Northern Ireland is based in south Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell The Romanian Roma Community Association for Northern Ireland is based in south Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

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