Watch: Soc Dem leader Holly Cairns questioned over Eoin Hayes 'blackface'

Eoin Hayes won’t be suspended or expelled from the Social Democrats despite wearing ‘blackface’.

The Dublin Bay South deputy has apologised after it emerged he dressed up as Barack Obama at a Halloween party in 2009.

Speaking at a press conference durin the party's Think-In in Dublin on Tuesday, ahead of the return of the Dáil, party leader Holly Cairns said the fact it was 16 years ago had to be taken into context.

The party's Think-in event was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Mr Hayes who apologised for images published in the Irish Daily Mail of him dressed in “blackface” make-up at a fancy dress party. He did not attend today's event.