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New Sinn Féin MLA endorses social media insult aimed at Arlene Foster

Jemma Dolan (left) was elected with Sinn Féin members Sean Lynch and Michelle Gildernew in Fermanagh South Tyrone
Jemma Dolan (left) was elected with Sinn Féin members Sean Lynch and Michelle Gildernew in Fermanagh South Tyrone Jemma Dolan (left) was elected with Sinn Féin members Sean Lynch and Michelle Gildernew in Fermanagh South Tyrone

A newly elected Sinn Féin MLA has been criticised for endorsing a disparaging comment on social media aimed at DUP leader Arlene Foster.

Jemma Dolan (26), from Belleek, was elected in her first attempt as one of the five MLAs for Fermanagh South Tyrone on Friday, alongside the former First Minister.

In one of the first noteworthy acts in her new position, the former party press officer liked a Facebook post congratulating her, which contained the hashtag '#f***ArleneFoster'

Her actions on social media have been described as "wrong" by party colleague and Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy.

When asked if Ms Dolan was wrong to like the post, Mr Murphy told BBC yesterday: "Yes I think if someone did like that comment it was obviously done without thinking through the process."

"It is wrong, it is not where we're at, we're not into insulting people," he said.

Ms Dolan and the party would not comment further on the matter and the original post appears to have been deleted from Facebook.