O Donnghaile, a far-left activist who has described himself as “vigorously antifascist,” issued an admission of guilt in a recent statement to Irish News, describing his actions as a “great embarrassment to myself, my family, friends and former colleagues.” The Times reported that he continued to be paid until earlier this year.

“Niall O Donnghaile not only lost his membership of the party, but he lost his job and he lost everything that was actually important to him…and that was the consequences of what we believe were very inappropriate actions,” said Doherty.