Portrait of Former Belfast Lord Mayor Removed Amid Controversy

A portrait of former Belfast Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile is set to be removed from the Belfast City Hall following revelations regarding inappropriate communications he made with a teenage boy. It has been reported that Ó Donnghaile, a former member of Sinn Féin, sent messages of a personal nature to a 17-year-old boy. This has prompted unanimous agreement from party group leaders on the Belfast City Council to remove the portrait.

The decision was made during a meeting on Thursday, where leaders from various parties, including the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), supported the proposal. The motion came days after it emerged that Ó Donnghaile had left Sinn Féin following the revelations. While Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald stated that there were no findings of illegality and no criminal charges filed, Ó Donnghaile acknowledged that his position within the party was untenable.

The DUP had called for the portrait’s removal earlier, with the party expressing concern that keeping it in place would “cause great embarrassment to Belfast City Council and its reputation.” Sinn Féin also agreed with the removal prior to the council’s meeting.

Furthermore, the Social Democratic and Labour Party proposed a comprehensive review of the memorabilia in City Hall, while the Ulster Unionist Party suggested implementing training for councillors and senior council officers focused on child safety and safeguarding.

Niall Ó Donnghaile served as Belfast Lord Mayor beginning in 2011 when he was 25 years old. In 2020, he transitioned from Belfast City Council to the Seanad, becoming Sinn Féin’s leader there. The recent developments surrounding his actions have placed additional scrutiny on his past role in public office and the party’s response to the allegations.