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SF TDs issued with 'written warnings'

Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien Photo: Tom Burke Expand

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Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien Photo: Tom Burke

Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien Photo: Tom Burke

Sinn Fein TD Jonathan O'Brien Photo: Tom Burke

Niall O'Connor

Two Sinn Féin TDs who failed to turn up for a vote on hare coursing are to escape with a formal warning from the party.

Cork North Central TD Jonathan O'Brien and Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis were both questioned by party figures after they missed a vote on hare coursing.

The bill, tabled by Dublin Central TD Maureen O'Sullivan, was defeated last week.

Prior to the vote, all TDs came under intense lobbying from pro- and anti-hare coursing groups.

The Sinn Féin leadership decided in advance that the party would oppose the bill and that the whip would be applied to all TDs.

A Sinn Féin spokesman said anyone who missed the vote without a proper excuse would be "reprimanded".

A previous situation whereby Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín voted against the party on the issue of abortion resulted in him receiving a six-month suspension.

However, it's understood both Mr O'Brien and Mr Ellis are to escape with a written warning.

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