A Sinn Fein general election candidate in Dublin Central, Cllr Nicky Kehoe, has been suspended for eight weeks by the Gaelic Athletic Association for "abusive behaviour", it has emerged.
His suspension by the Dublin GAA County Board followed an investigation into an incident during an under-13s football match last November between Cllr Kehoe's Cabra-based Naomh Fionnbarra club and Parnells.
Shortly after the match began, Cllr Kehoe, who manages the team, abused one of the Parnell team's mentors, according to a letter to the GAA from Parnells.
The Parnells' mentor was lying on the ground by the time the referee, who had been following the play, arrived at the scene. The referee later filed a report on the match to the Dublin County Board.
The hearing was held on February 26th away from the county board's offices after Cllr Kehoe expressed fears that it would attract a "media circus", a number of sources told The Irish Times.
In its letter, Parnells told the county board that Cllr Kehoe's action had brought the GAA "into disrepute" and had added to the difficulties faced by all clubs in attracting adult supervisors.
Cllr Kehoe - who is seeking election to the Dáil in the constituency of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern - said that he had been suspended for a "minor occurrence which, nevertheless, should not have happened". He added: "It is no big deal."
The Cabra-based councillor has served jail sentences for involvement in the foiled kidnapping of businessman Mr Galen Weston and for explosives possession.
Sinn Féin has invested heavily in Cllr Kehoe's campaign in the Taoiseach's four-seat constituency, which is also being contested by Fine Gael's Mr Jim Mitchell, Labour's Mr Joe Costello and Mr Tony Gregory (Independent).
Describing his record in the GAA as "exemplary", Cllr Kehoe said that many managers, including a former Dublin manager, had received suspensions following off-the-pitch exchanges.
He said that the charge against him had been made by Parnells and not by the referee: "It was a case of their word against mine, and the GAA had to make a decision that would ensure that the integrity of the game was kept. I respect that. The occurrence for which the GAA took its decision was one that I regret but was by no means unique. In the heat of a football game many managers are involved in disputes."
He continued: "For elements of the media to use this matter in an attempt to attack me or my party is a clear indication that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel in looking for opportunities to undermine Sinn Féin.
"As a member of the Naomh Fionnbarra development committee, I have played a central role in encouraging young people to participate in sport as an alternative to anti-social behaviour and drugs that has destroyed many parts of Dublin Central. That work will continue."
