Northern Ireland

No support from archbishop for priest who cancelled Sinn Féin event

Archbishop Eamon Martin
Archbishop Eamon Martin Archbishop Eamon Martin

Archbishop Eamon Martin has failed to offer public support to a priest who banned Sinn Féin from a Co Tyrone church hall over the party’s stance on abortion.

Fr Eugene O’Neill cancelled a booking for St Patrick’s Hall in Coalisland earlier this month after being contacted by pro-life campaigners.

In 2018 members of Sinn Féin voted to support making abortion available, a move that prompted resignations across Ireland.

It has now emerged that the most senior figure in the Irish Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has failed to publicly back Fr O’Neill.

Despite repeated approaches to the Maynooth based Catholic Communications Office, Archbishop Martin has failed to say if he supports the stand taken by the priest.

Sinn Féin had organised a public meeting in the hall to provide an update on recent political developments.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who represents the area and lives in the neighbouring parish of Clonoe, had been expected to attend.

The hall is historically important to republicans.

In 1916 Irish Volunteers from various parts of the north gathered there to take part in the Easter Rising, although they later received a countermand to cancel operations.

Local SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn, who lives in Coalisland, has previously defended the right of Fr O’Neill to cancel the event.