In the 1986 split in the republican movement, O'Doherty sided with Republican Sinn Féin and refused to recognise the legitimacy of Dáil Éireann in Leinster House.
Dalam perpecahan gerakan republik tahun 1986, O'Doherty memihak partai Republican Sinn Fein dan menolak untuk mengakui legitimasi Dáil Eireann di Leinster House.