'Crocodile Tears' — Mary Lou McDonald Criticised Over Her Tribute ...

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been criticised over her tribute to Ben Dunne.

Mr Dunne was kidnapped by the IRA on his way to Portadown in Co. Armagh to open a new Dunnes Stores branch in October 1981, and was held hostage for a week. Gardaí at the time insisted no ransom was paid but reports suggested £1.5million had been handed over.

Ms McDonald paid tribute to Mr Dunne, saying he was a ‘good man who cared about people’ and we will ‘never see his likes again’. She said: ‘Very sad to hear of the sudden death of Ben Dunne. My thoughts are with his beloved family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.’

However, scores of tweets followed, asking if Ms Donald did not remember the kidnapping, with others accusing her of ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ to ‘profit’ from votes.

Some commenters rounded on her with caustic remarks such as: ‘Any public apology for his kidnapping?’ and ‘You really go low, but nothing new when you are a bandwagon profiteer. Why not say your cult are sorry for the kidnapping?’ Other tweets included: ‘Were your thoughts with his wife and young family when pals of yours held him in the boot of a car for a week and fed Bernard on Coca-Cola and crisps but then again you said this was justified. No one wants your crocodile tears at this time.’

Meanwhile, former journalist Gayle Killilea’s comments on Ben Dunne also met with anger on social media. Ms Killilea, formerly married to bankrupt businessman Seán Dunne, posted on Saturday night: ‘We duelled a little after I wrote that Patrick Gallagher paid for his ransom. He was usually drunk, or remorseful… But I recognised the addict in him. He had a big kind heart.’ One angry person tweeted: ‘Didn’t know the decent aul’ skin died. Unfortunate that it was through your “ALLABOUTME” tweet.’