Sinn Fein disregard for laws

[todaytonight]

What is the status of Sinn Féin's position on the 26 county Republic of Ireland?

I know their stated objective at one time was to subvert the state but I had assumed that by taking up their seats in the Oireachtas they had changed this.

I went to West Cork for the long weekend and the place is plastered with Sinn Fein posters even though the laws of the land specifically state that posters cannot be put up until 30 days before the poll (which is wednesday)

Is this disregard for the law or just incompetence by their election workers?
Do the county councils fine parties for this or is the law just lip-service?
I drove back to Dublin tonight and have not seen one other party with a poster up (other than a paid for billboard displaying Eoin Ryan's FG-like ad)

[alexo]

You are correct . SF are trying to undermine the legitemacay of the state by putting posters up 2 days early. I hear from the military leadership that they believe this tactic is bound to suceed where others have failed.

[JCSkinner]

Take photos and contact the council with the evidence.
Fines all round for the naughty candidates.
Sorted.

[Kf]

No JC, the OP should get in touch with the IMC and Paul "sued again" Williams as well.

[JCSkinner]

I disagree (not having a clue what you're gnomically referring to).
Call the council and report it with evidence. I entertain myself every election time (especially afterwards) by noting and reporting illegal posters (up too early or still up too late.)
I musta cost candidates thousands at this stage. Very cathartic it is too. It does help to let a rival councillor know too, so that they can check at the council meeting that their rival did indeed cop a fine.
Best to be sure, doncha know?

[bobbysands81]

Seen FG (Dundrum) , Labour (Clonsilla by the train station) and Green (Donnybrook, by Donnybrook Fair I think) posters up around Dublin today.

[ArtyQueing]

Are they actual election posters or posters notifying you of a public meeting by any chance?

[ON THE ONE ROAD]

eric byrne posters uo all over crumlin, maybe this is some master IRA conspiricy, they tricked the world into thinking they split in to provos and sticks.

the signals up raurai o bradigh is to launch the irish republican air force at dusk, eoghan harris never left and will lead the take over of independent newspapers. and theres nothing you peskey kids can do about it. by tomorrow night we'll be a nation once again a nation once again!!!!!

[Gruffalo]

It depends where the posters are.

They cannot be put on public property until the nominated date.

This restriction does not apply to posters on private property.

[todaytonight]

You are correct . SF are trying to undermine the legitemacay of the state by putting posters up 2 days early. I hear from the military leadership that they believe this tactic is bound to suceed where others have failed.

hehe

It was more a question on "What is the status of Sinn Féin's position on the 26 county Republic of Ireland?" and was merely prompted by the posters. At that point they were the only posters on public utility poles I had seen that weren't disguised as a public meeting ad. By yesterday I'd seen plenty illegal around dublin from most parties so that particular point is irrelavant.

I'd still like to know "What is the status of Sinn Féin's position on the 26 county Republic of Ireland?" though.... they once had a stated aim of subverting the state (that is why RTE calls the IRA 'subversives' rather than stronger terms). Is this still Sinn Fein policy? I had assumed they dropped it when Caomhin O'C took up the seat in the Oireachtas