Taoiseach questions Sinn Féin's sincerity on Garvaghy Road dispute

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has accused Sinn Féin of a "lack of sincerity" and an "overly simplistic" approach to resolving the Drumcree dispute, questioning the party's motives following recent meetings. He dismissed the idea that simply instructing British officials to stop the march would solve the impasse. Martin made the remarks after being booed at a Garvaghy Road rally where Sinn Féin leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill called for action. He stated that meetings with the party seemed focused on "press choreography" rather than substance, and urged calm to avoid returning to "visions of the past." Separately, Martin defended the Republic of Ireland's upcoming football match against Israel, saying a boycott would cause harm to Ireland with "no consequential gain" for Palestinians. He argued that one game would not change Israeli government policy and stressed that diplomatic efforts remain the primary avenue for pressure.