Mary Lou McDonald

(Left to right) Finance Minister John O’Dowd, First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald speaking to the media as they arrive at Hillsborough Castle ahead of a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant to discuss the budget. Picture date: Thursday November 5, 2026. Liam McBurney/Press Association

Bryant ‘not amenable to reality’, says McDonald as budget deadlock drags on

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaks to reporters after a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board in Belfast. Photo: David Young./PA

Boutcher challenges 'misinterpretation' of IRA remark in police log on Drumcree

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson leaving Newry Magistrates' Court, after he was released on bail for child sex abuse charges in April 2024

Mary Lou McDonald hopes Donaldson sentencing helps closure for victims

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister Michelle O’Neill speak to the media alongside Sinn Féin representatives outside Drumcree Community Centre in Portadown on Friday afternoon, amid the continuing dispute over the proposed Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road.

Michelle O’Neill says she has not received police letter over Drumcree protest

Mary Lou McDonald told Taoiseach Micheal Martin that he has a responsibility to “apply all necessary pressure” on the UK Prime Minister and Northern Ireland Secretary of State

Drumcree dispute in a ‘dangerous and lingering limbo’ – McDonald

The comments by MLA Trevor Clarke were widely criticised, but he today stood over them.

DUP MLA defends 'small boats' post over Garvaghy Road stand-off

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill attend a community event in support of the Garvaghy Road residents on Saturday

Sinn Féin will ‘of course’ co-operate with any PSNI probe into Garvaghy Road

Taoiseach questions Sinn Fein ‘sincerity’ over Garvaghy Road situation

People attend a community event in support of the Garvaghy Road residents in the Drumcree parade dispute on Saturday afternoon

Huge rally against Drumcree parade held on Garvaghy Road

A banner reading "Garvaghy Road Says No" displayed on Garvaghy Road, Portadown. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Drumcree: Nationalist 'intolerance' towards a glimpse into a ‘new Ireland’ - MLA

Former first minister Peter Robinson said the central question of the Garvaghy Road dispute is whether Northern Ireland operates under one law, applied equally to everyone Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Respect for each other’s cultures and traditions must be a two-way street

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister Michelle O’Neill pictured meeting residents on the Garvaghy Road. Picture by /PressEye

Michelle O’Neill ‘stands over’ choice to take part in Drumcree parade protest

First Minister Michelle O'Neill MLA and Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald were among nationalist leaders at the unnotified protest that blocked Garvaghy Road on Sunday. Photo: Peter Morrison/PA Wire

O’Neill says she has not been contacted by police and does not expect arrest

Orangemen pictured at Drumcree Parish Church on Monday as the stand-off continues (picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

Portadown Orangemen report SF bosses to PSNI as Belfast brethren pledge support

An Orangeman watches a PSNI Land Rovers head towards the Garvaghy Road where protestors (inset top) had blocked the road

Drumcree: O’Neill accused of breaking the law

Protesters ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march in the first parade along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown for almost 30 years, after the parade was given clearance in a late-night hearing

Garvaghy Road blocked by protesters of Orange Order parade amid calls for calm
Thousands of protesters have blocked the predominately nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown in a bid to prevent a contentious Orange Order parade passing.
Claudia Savage and Josh Payne

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

PM urges people to ‘work calmly’ after Drumcree parade is given go-ahead

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill (left) and President Mary Lou McDonald speak outside party offices on the Falls Road, Belfast, against the decision by the Parades Commission to allow the first Orange Order return parade along the road in almost 30 years. The commission has placed a number of restrictions on the procession, including an 8am start time and limiting the number of participants to 35 people

Orange Order parade decision on Garvaghy Road ‘utterly reckless’ – Sinn Fein

John Swinney, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill at last week's event in Cardiff

Sir Reg Empey: Ministers should concentrate on economies

(left to right) First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill, during a meeting at Voco St. David's Cardiff, on Monday, to discuss the "pursuit of a different attitude" from the UK Government and the future of independence for their respective countries

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Unionists can take unification off their worry list

Nationalist leaders from across the UK came together in Cardiff. Pic: Ben Birchall/PA Wire

UK’s nationalist leaders come together to sign joint pledge

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald attended a meeting of the first ministers of the UK’s three devolved nations – SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill

Westminster’s time is coming to an end – SNP, Plaid and Sinn Fein leaders

Garda motorcylists drive through Doonbeg village, Co Clare, ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump tomorrow to the Irish Open at the nearby Trump International Golf Links & Hotel (Damien Eagers/PA Wire)

Unionists criticise Sinn Fein over opposition to Donald Trump visit to Ireland

Rory McIlroy plays a shot today prior to the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg

'Who are we to say no to Trump?' asks Rory McIlroy ahead of US president's visit

Helen McEntee made the comments after Prime Minister Andy Burnham was criticised last week when, during a visit to Belfast, he told media that a referendum on a united Ireland was “off the table”

Irish minister says there ‘will be a border poll’ on united Ireland in future

Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Burnham pledges to ‘stick 100% to the Good Friday Agreement’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham meets with Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Féin party member John Finucane, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant, in Belfast, as he makes his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming to office. Picture date: Thursday August 27, 2026.

Burnham's Irish unity remarks were not a mistake, Sir Chris Bryant says
Prime Minister Andy Burnham did not make a mistake when he said in Belfast that a poll on Irish unity is “off the table”, Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has said.
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

First Minister Michelle O'Neill (left) and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald speak to the media following a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the Culloden Hotel, Belfast, during his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming to office. Picture date: Wednesday August 26, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Sinn Fein reacts strongly to Burnham saying Irish border poll is 'off the table'

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham makes a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting King Charles III and accepting his invitation to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Picture date: Monday July 20, 2026.

Taoiseach will work with Prime Minister to ensure ‘close co-operation’

Days like the Twelfth at gatherings across Northern Ireland-United Kingdom confirm that the Union is safe and in good hands

Letter: Twelfth showed a community that cannot be broken

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill speak to the media outside Leinster House, Dublin. Picture date: Tuesday July 7, 2026. PA Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

Mary Lou McDonald warns issue of Irish unity is ‘not going away, you know’

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald said in 2024 a safeguarding review would be shared with the media. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Sinn Fein silent on final safeguarding report promised in 2024

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and chief secretary to the treasury Lucy Rigby speak to the media at Hillsborough Castle, after meeting with Stormont party leaders over the budget crisis. Photo: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire

NI finances need to move on to 'long-term sustainable footing' – Benn

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has invited the leaders of the devolved parties to talks at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday.

Government urged to fix NI funding ‘faultline’ as budget discussions begin

Donna Harper, (centre) whose daughter Leona died in the Creeslough tragedy, and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media as they join families that were affected by the explosion to discuss calls for a public inquiry at Leinster House, Dublin. our men, three women and three children aged between five and 59 died in the explosion at a building complex in the Co Donegal village on October 7, 2022. Picture date: Wednesday June 17, 2026. 16:53 - 17 Jun 2026

Creeslough families ‘failed’ by Irish Government, says victim’s mother

UUP leader Jon Burrows MLA

UUP leader Jon Burrows dismisses 'blueprint for unity' plans by Fine Gael

Tanaiste Simon Harris.

Simon Harris announces Fine Gael plans for 'blueprint' for Irish unity

Council works clearing debris on Newtownards Road in east Belfast after violence erupted on Tuesday night on the streets following a stabbing attack in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area close to the busy Antrim Road in the city, leaving the victim with serious eye, face and back wounds

Disorder ‘orchestrated by loyalist and far-right thugs’, McDonald says

Belfast's next lord mayor Rois-Marie Donnelly (centre) with Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and first minister Michelle O'Neill. Photo: Rois-Marie Donnelly/Facebook

Sinn Fein politician to replace DUP as lord mayor of Belfast

Fine Gael candidate Sean Kyne celebrates with Peter Burke (left) and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris (right) after winning the Galway West by-election at the count at Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Galway. The by-election was called when the seat was vacated by Catherine Connolly when she became president. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Election blow for 'out of touch' Sinn Fein 'shows up its border poll folly'

Morning View

Editorial: SF crows about its electoral prospects yet did badly in by-elections

Sinn Fein MP Pat Cullen, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill, party president Mary Lou McDonald and senator Conor Murphy speak to the media outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. Picture: Pol Allingham/PA Wire

Westminster ‘chaos’ underlines need to ‘break shackles’, says O’Neill

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, and Sinn Fein's John Finucane MP during a press conference at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, after meeting Taoiseach Micheal Martin during the Taoiseach's two-day visit to Northern Ireland. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Sinn Fein has no intention of being reckless with powersharing – McDonald

Sinn Fein won't say who President Mary Lou McDonald is blaming for "stopping" the A5 road. Photo: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Sinn Fein deny Mary Lou McDonald blames unionists for A5 failure

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald

Mary Lou McDonald dismisses leadership speculation at Ard Fheis

First Minister Michelle O'Neill during an interview with Press Association at the James Connolly Visitor Centre in Belfast. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Michelle O’Neill says Irish unity poll by 2030 is ‘very conceivable’

Irish president Catherine Connolly is already taking more public interest in foreign policy than she should

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Connolly has the potential to be a serious problem

There is no body of evidence that a referendum would result in Northern Ireland leaving the UK

Philip Smith: Too many benefits to being in the Union to risk leaving it

A 27% pay rise for MLAs at Stormont has been confirmed by an independent body despite an “overwhelmingly critical” public response.

MLAs’ 27% pay rise confirmed despite ‘overwhelmingly critical’ public response

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with First Minister for Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly at The Culloden Hotel, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, during his visit to Belfast

High cost of home heating oil discussed as PM meets with NI political leaders

Micheal Martin’s performance in the Dail on Tuesday - responding to questions on Iran from Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald - was like that of a lawman at the OK Corral, writes Ruth Dudley Edwards

Ruth Dudley Edwards: SF leader took on taoiseach in a debate on Iran … and lost

Baroness Foster is hoping to secure House of Lords support for her big to tighten laws on glorifying terrorism.

Baroness Foster seeks to tighten UK law on glorifying terrorism

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute to IRA bomber Bik McFarlane on the first anniversary of his death

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Politicians in Britain beacons of frankness, unlike here

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking to the media ahead of a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin. Picture date: Tuesday February 24, 2026.

SF opposing EU loan to Ukraine 'like surrender to Russia' - Taoiseach

Sinn Fein vice president and First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaking at Stormont, as Sinn Fein announce they will not attend St Patrick’s Day events in the White House. Picture: Claudia Savage/PA Wire

Sinn Fein to continue boycott of White House events on St Patrick’s Day

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