Outspoken Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has joined Sinn Féin and wasted no time in making her presence known.
On the day she joined the political party, she compared it to the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI and called for the leaders to step down and make way for the new generation.
The star has always been willing to passionately share her views on a number of issues throughout the years and has wasted no time in rustling a few feathers in her new party.
She wrote on her Facebook page: “I joined Sinn Féin today, because resolving issue number one is the way to resolve all current issues. Issue number one is we don’t own our country.
“I might not even be the kind of person they want, because I’m gonna write here that I feel the elders of Sinn Fein are going to have to make ‘the supreme sacrifice’ and step down shortly in the same way the last Pope did.
“It was the smart thing for him to do because his association in people’s minds with frightful things meant the church were losing bums on seats, if I may use a showbiz term.
“And now they have barely a seat to spare. Pure cold business.”
O’Connor suggested that the history of the current leaders of Sinn Féin may work against them in the minds of many Irish voters.
“There’d be a zillion per cent increase in membership of Sinn Féi if the leadership were handed over to those born from 1983/1985 onward and no one associated in people’s minds with frightful things.
“Frightful things belong where they are now, in the past. That increase would resolve issue number one. Ergo all current issues would be resolved.
“People are open to it now. A brand new country. Run by everyone of every nationality who lives in all of it.”
O’Connor’s Facebook post drew a mixed response from her fans but she later reiterated that Sinn Fein is no longer involved in violence.
A Sinn Féin spokeswoman told the Belfast Telegraph: “We look forward to working with Sinead in an effort to deliver the changes so badly needed in Ireland.”
“As a member, Sinead would have an equal say in that process.
“In the election in May, Sinn Féin trebled our representation at local government level and elected four MEPS across the island of Ireland.
“Support for Sinn Féin in this state has grown considerably since Gerry Adams was elected as a TD.
“In 2011, Sinn Féin was at 9.9%. The party received 15.2% of the vote in the local elections this year and recent polls have put support for Sinn Féin at between 22% – 26%.
“We look forward to working with Sinead in an effort to deliver the changes so badly needed in Ireland.”
