The Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards has dismissed complaints against Mid Ulster Council chairman Eugene McConnell. The Sinn Fein councillor attended a Sinn Fein event in Carrickmore on Easter Monday last year. He stood with party president Mary Lou McDonald beside a banner showing armalite rifles and a photo of Provisional IRA member Jim Lynagh.

The DUP and TUV filed complaints alleging a breach of the councillor code of conduct. A spokesman for the commissioner stated that after investigation, the cases closed at the end of January 2026. The attendance occurred in a private capacity and did not violate the code. Rules in the code apply mainly to official actions.

Victims campaigner Kenny Donaldson questioned the private capacity finding. He noted McConnell's photo with McDonald and the banner appeared on Sinn Fein social media.

DUP MLA Brian Kingston argued the code requires councillors to avoid actions that could bring their position or council into disrepute at all times. He raised concerns over consistency in enforcement and whether glorifying figures linked to violence meets the standard.

TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell called for the commissioner to review her approach to such decisions. He referenced past cases against unionist councillors for comparison.