Eoin Hayes readmitted to Social Democrats after eight-month suspension

By Gráinne Ní Aodha and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Eoin Hayes has been readmitted to the Social Democrats after an eight-month suspension over incorrect statements about shares he held in a company linked to the Israeli military.

Mr Hayes said he should have not held the shares as long as he did and has donated the equivalent of €43,443 to three aid organisations working in Gaza.

He said the amount reflected the increase in the value of the shares he held over the course of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

The Social Democrats won 11 seats in November’s election but Mr Hayes was indefinitely suspended from the parliamentary party in December – just a month after being elected.

He had initially told the media and his party colleagues that he divested shares in his former employer, Palantir Technologies, prior to being elected to Dublin City Council last June.

The company supplies technology to Israel’s military.

But he later revealed that he sold the shares last July – after taking office – for a pre-tax figure of €199,000.

The Social Democrats had been calling for economic sanctions against Israel months before Mr Hayes’ election to the council.

The Dublin Bay South TD’s suspension was reviewed by the national executive of the party before being considered further by the parliamentary party.

Just after 6:30pm on Friday, the Social Democrats said his suspension had been lifted.

It said in a statement the decision was made by acting leader Cian O’Callaghan in line with the party’s constitution.

“Eoin has been suspended from the parliamentary party for nearly eight months and I believe he should be given a second chance,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“Eoin has a lot to offer as a Social Democrats TD and I look forward to working with him.”

Mr Hayes said: “At the outset, I want to give a full and unequivocal apology for giving the incorrect information to the media about when I divested from Palantir.

“I also want to be clear that I should not have held the shares for as long as I did.

“For that reason, I have donated 51,000 dollars to three humanitarian organisations active in Gaza – split between UNRWA, Unicef and Doctors without Borders.

“This figure represents the uplift in share price, less applicable taxes, from October 7th 2023 to July 26th, 2024, when I sold the shares.

“I know I have let people down and I am determined to work hard and earn back people’s trust.”