Sinn Féin delegation meets British Secretary of State and urges political action
14 April 2025
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD, Deputy Leader Michelle O’Neill MLA, and MP John Finucane met today in Belfast with the British Secretary of State, Hilary Benn MP.
Following the meeting, Mary Lou McDonald said:
“Our delegation urged the British Secretary of State to heed both the Courts and the widow of murdered GAA official and father of six, Seán Brown, who was murdered by a loyalist gang in 1997, and to do the right thing by granting a full public inquiry.
“The Court of Appeal ruled on 3rd April that the British Government’s ongoing refusal to hold such an inquiry is ‘unlawful and cannot stand’ and gave the Secretary of State four weeks to respond.
“With that deadline approaching, we impressed upon Mr Benn the need to act – both to ensure legal accountability and to deliver truth and justice to Mrs Bridie Brown and her family.”
She added: “We also raised the redevelopment of Casement Park.
“At the weekend, Gaels took to the streets of Belfast, demonstrating strong support for the new GAA stadium. We are doing all we can to get construction underway, but clarity is needed on the British Government’s financial contribution – beyond that of the Executive and the GAA.
“The Secretary of State informed us that a bid has been made to London and a decision is expected in June.
“Sinn Féin is fully committed to delivering Casement Park in the Executive. It is a necessary project, long overdue, and enjoys widespread public support across Ulster and the entire island. What we need now is swift, decisive action.
“Finally, we discussed the growing political momentum around constitutional change and the prospect of a border poll.
“Sinn Féin believes the Irish Government must begin preparations for an inclusive, informed public conversation involving all parties across the island.
“It is also imperative that the British Government recognise the significant change now underway and that they embrace the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to hold a referendum and give people the democratic freedom to support Irish reunification, or the constitutional future they wish to live in.”
