Sinn Fein backing Catherine Connolly for the Presidency

Sinn Féin has announced that it will support Independent candidate Catherine Connolly in the Presidential Election, ending months of speculation over its position.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed the plans following a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle this morning.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald had said the announcement of whoever the party backed for the Presidency would be a 'gamechanger'

In a statement this (Saturday 20th September) lunchtime, the party said:

"Sinn Féin is backing Catherine Connolly to be the next Uachtaráin na hÉireann! Our job is to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government and to keep them out of the Áras.

"Anois an am. Anois uair na cinniúna.

"We can elect a President who will champion a United Ireland, stand up for Ireland’s place in the world as a defender of neutrality and human rights, and speak out for fairness and economic justice.

"It’s now game on to elect Catherine Connolly as Ireland’s next President. We will give it our all!

Catherine Connolly welcomed the endorsement of Sinn Fein.

“I welcome the announcement that Sinn Fein are backing my candidacy for president of Ireland. I thank Mary Lou McDonald for her leadership and I’m heartened by their support. I believe the coalition of left, centre left parties and independents backing my run for president is a welcome change for Irish politics. However if I am to be successful I will be a president for all irish people, of all political persuasion or none. See you on the road.”