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Stephen Donnelly joins Fianna Fail. Sam Boal

Donnelly says he was "eviscerated" online after joining Fianna Fáil

Wickow TD Stephen Donnelly made the move to Fianna Fáil last week.

FIANNA FÁIL NEWCOMER Stephen Donnelly has said he has been “eviscerated” online after announcing he was joining the party last week.

Flanked by Fiánna Fáil leader Micheál Martin last Thursday, the former independent TD announced to the media that he had received overwhelming support from his constituents.

For months he said his constituents had been encouraging him to join a party – and he thought Fianna Fáil – a party he actively criticised in the past – was the best political fit.

However, speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk radio, the Wicklow TD said some of the reactions were “quite unpleasant”.

“How many times have [TDs] heard ‘you’re populists, you’ll never make unpopular decisions, you’ll only follow the crowd’. Then as soon as you do make an unpopular decision, you are eviscerated by an online horde.”

Upon making his move to the largest opposition party, Donnelly posted on his Facebook page. He wrote:

I’m acutely aware of the hurt some people are feeling, and want to acknowledge that.

Close to 300 people left comments on the post – and many were highly critical of the TD’s decision to jump ship. There were also over 336 emojis left on the post.

emoji Emojis left under Stephen Donnelly's Facebook post.

One person wrote:

Stephen you were not elected by the people of Wicklow and East Carlow as a FF TD. If I had wanted to I could have voted FF but I didn’t and I won’t be voting for you again.

Another wrote:

The decision was not yours to make that is an electorate decision! You should have resigned your seat and stood for election as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the by-election.

However, some welcomed Donnelly’s move:

The guy took a hugely unpopular decision, puts the safest seat in the country at risk, along with his integrity and you all deride him for being ambitious? Would people prefer an unmotivated politician, who’s happy to sit around on a cushy public salary without ever achieving anything?

This was a point that Donnelly made to TheJournal.ie last week, when it was pointed out to Donnelly that he was primarily elected on the basis that he was not a member of Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael and went so far as blaming the party he joins today for the economic crash in 2008.

He said he would tell those that voted for him during the last general election the following:

Which would you prefer – would you like me to sit nice and safely on the independent benches advocating for change on the side or would you prefer me to be working with a strong team as a Fianna Fáil TD to basically try and shift this county in the right direction – and pretty much all of them [his constituents] have said yes, we would prefer you working with Fianna Fáil in the Fianna Fáil team.

Speaking on the radio today, he said:

I took what could be described as a deeply unpopular decision with a lot of people… To those who I have genuinely hurt. I apologise for that.

However, he said he knew that making a “deeply unpopular decision” (to some people) would garner the reaction online and on social media.

Read: When asked why Fianna Fáil, Stephen Donnelly says ‘we need new thinking’>

Read: Pat Casey says it ‘wasn’t easy to take’ Stephen Donnelly joining Fianna Fáil>

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68 Comments
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    Mute Darragh O Brien
    Favourite Darragh O Brien
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:24 AM

    Say it ain’t so Leicester , say it ain’t so :(

    60
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    Mute Andhesaid
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:31 AM

    If there is truth in this then they must all be banned just like the Russian athletes were. I think Seb Coe must personally lead the charge in this dopping scandal too!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:46 AM

    So thats shy Daniel O’Donnel performed so well on Strictly come dancing!

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:47 AM

    Why……..

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    Mute Jo Buckley
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 10:08 AM

    What a surprise! Not only Italians, Spaniards and Eastern Europeans take performance enhancing drugs. British media always derides these countries for their lack of sportsmanship. A little of humble pie is required.
    Let’s see where this end.

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    Mute John Buckley
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 8:40 AM

    Very bad picture. We could have got a look at that bad Doctor’s face!

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 12:54 PM

    Arsenal players are innocent in this scandal. There’s no way you can take performance enhancing drugs & only win two trophies in 12 years.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 1:50 PM
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    Mute William Boyd
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 9:39 AM

    I’d say it would be easier to count the ones who don’t dope in certain sports, I think there is a mindset if I don’t keep up with the Joneses I simply won’t be able to compete at the highest level?.

    This story does have the potential of opening up a Pandora’s box if the media really get their teeth into it?.

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    Mute Davor Niksic
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 11:53 AM

    Where there’s demand, there’s supply.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 1:50 PM

    Who would have guess that lol…

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 3rd 2016, 2:22 PM

    Interesting profile of a GP who seems to have a range of treatments which seem almost too good to be true!

    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=851175108243732&id=223097867718129

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