Social Democrats Reinstates Eoin Hayes After Suspension

Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes has been readmitted to the Social Democrats following a near eight-month suspension, the party has said.

Mr. Hayes, a first-time TD for Dublin Bay South, was suspended from the Social Democrats shortly after being elected in last November's general election. The suspension was a result of revelations that he provided incorrect information to the media regarding the sale of shares in his former employer, Palantir Technologies.

Palantir has IT contracts with Israel and the US military. On December 11, Mr. Hayes confirmed that he sold his shares in Palantir for just under €200,000, one month after being elected to Dublin City Council. Since then, he has been serving as an Independent TD in the Dáil.

Despite his suspension, the Social Democrats continued to consider him a party TD, which impacted Oireachtas committee appointment numbers. Social Democrats' deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan expressed his belief that Mr. Hayes deserves a second chance, stating that he has a lot to offer as a Social Democrats TD.

In a statement, Mr. Hayes offered a full apology for providing incorrect information to the media and acknowledged his mistake in holding the shares for too long. He donated $51,000 to humanitarian organizations active in Gaza, representing the uplift in share price from October 7, 2023, to July 26, 2024, when he sold the shares.

Mr. Hayes expressed his determination to work hard and regain people's trust.

According to the source: RTE.ie.