SELLING OFF | 

Mairia Cahill says Sinn Fein’s old HQ should be turned into abuse victims’ centre

The party is quitting Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast 40 years after they bought it

Today at 19:33

Abuse survivor Máiría Cahill says Connolly House should become a victims’ centre to help those who suffered at the hands of the IRA — after Sinn Féin announced it is leaving its former HQ after 40 years.

And the former Irish senator says Sinn Féin should foot the bill.

Last week it emerged the republican party would be quitting Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast 40 years after they bought it.

It’s understood the party is ready to splash the cash on a new premises after a €4million estate was left to it by English recluse William Hampton five years ago.

Hampton’s express stipulation was that his money be spent “to cover election expenses and to fund Sinn Féin offices and advice centres”.

The party has revealed it will move its political hub out of Connolly House – named after 1916 hero James Connolly – though it’s not clear whether they plan to sell the property immediately.