**Sinn Fein Faces Questions Over Mayor Portrait**

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Post on Oct 28, 2024

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Sinn Féin's Portrait Problem: Is It Just a Picture, or Something More?

Sinn Féin, the Irish republican party, has been in the headlines lately, but not for their usual political stances. They’re facing questions over a portrait of a former mayor, and it's not a pretty picture for them.

The issue? The portrait of the late mayor, Sean Kelly, is hung in the council chamber. It's no ordinary painting, though - it depicts him in a full suit, with a giant sash around his chest, a huge chain around his neck, and the biggest grin you've ever seen. And, let's be honest, it looks like something out of a bad 80s TV show.

The problem? It's not a portrait of Kelly as mayor. It's a depiction of him in a very specific outfit, one associated with the very controversial Order of the British Empire. Sinn Féin has always been strongly opposed to the Order, even calling for the abolition of it. So, you can see why folks are raising eyebrows about this portrait.

Is this just a bit of bad taste, or is there something more to it?

Some folks are saying it's a simple case of someone making a rookie mistake. A council official, perhaps, didn’t do their research, or maybe they just had no idea about the political implications of this outfit.

Others, though, are seeing this as a much bigger deal. They see it as a slap in the face to the party's values. For them, this portrait isn't just an ugly picture, it's a symbol of everything they hate about the British establishment.

The Sinn Féin response? Well, they’ve apologized for the “unintended offense” and have said they’ll sort it out. But is that enough?

The public is divided on this one. Some are saying it's just a picture, no need to make a fuss. Others, though, are demanding more than just a lame apology. They want to know how this happened, and why it took so long for anyone to notice.

This isn't just about a portrait, folks. It's about what the portrait represents. It's a reminder of the deep divisions that still exist in Irish society, and the struggle that Sinn Féin has always faced to reconcile their past with their present.

This one picture has sparked a whole lot of debate. We'll have to wait and see what happens next. But one thing's for sure: it's not going to be a quiet one.