Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has suggested she may watch Disney+ drama Say Nothing during the Christmas holidays.
The party’s president was reflecting on a challenging 18 months — during which time she had to have a hysterectomy while her husband, Martin Lanigan, was diagnosed with bowel cancer — when she revealed her festive plans.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, the Dublin Central TD said her time off will be spent reading, walking and catching up on TV.
Asked if she would watch the on-screen adaptation of the book based on the disappearance of Jean McConville, Ms McDonald didn’t rule it out.
“I don’t know,” she said.
“I haven’t had a chance to watch it. I might well do, time depending.”
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scenes from the Disney documentary, say nothing, which deals with IRA abuduction and murder of Jean McConville single mother of 10
The drama, which portrays the murder and secret burial of Mrs McConville by the IRA in 1972, has led to Gerry Adams reiterating his denial that he had any involvement in the killing of 17 people known as the Disappeared, including the widowed mother-of-10.
The hit show also resulted in veteran republican Marian Price initiating legal action against Disney+ after she was depicted murdering the Belfast woman. Her lawyer said the claim “is unfounded in all respects.”
The troubled lives of IRA members Brendan Hughes and Marian and Dolours Price is also portrayed in the nine-part series, with plots spanning from the time of Ms McConville’s disappearance to the disappearance of others including Kevin McKee (17), Seamus Wright (25), and Joe Lynskey (40).
Say Nothing
All the individuals were abducted in Belfast in 1972 and subsequently buried in secret locations.
Each episode of the TV show, that is based on true events, features a disclaimer informing viewers that “Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA or participating in any IRA-related violence.”
Just last month the former Sinn Féin president’s legal team issued a statement asserting that their client has consistently asserted his innocence in respect of Ms McConville’s death and “had no involvement” in any of the 17 murders.
Gerry Adams. Pic by PA.
At that time, Mr Adams’ solicitors stressed that their client has not seen the drama which they claimed “is based primarily on interviews in the discredited Boston College Tapes from several anti-peace process republicans”. That was an apparent reference to Brendan Hughes and Dolours Price who participated in the project.
Ms McDonald also opened up about the impact of losing her father, who she had a “complicated relationship” with, back in August. The politician said she didn’t know if her recent struggles distracted her from her job as party leader or whether it impacted Sinn Fein’s performance and a sharp drop in support since last year, but insisted she is ready for the new year.
“I don’t think you could say for certain that there was a direct cause and effect,” she explained. “What I can tell you absolutely is that we went through a time that was, for me, challenging on a personal level and on a political level.
“But we recovered… and we’re now in a strong position and I have never felt better actually or more up for it.”