Could Mary Lou McDonald be about to enter the presidential race?
When
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald
was asked on Monday if she was ruling herself out of this year's
contest to succeed Michael D Higgins
, she replied, 'we're not ruling anything in or anything out.' But could a tilt at the presidency be a potential career-ender for Mary Lou?
Elsewhere, those ruling themselves firmly in include Galway West Independent TD
Catherine Connolly
, who says she plans to launch her presidential election bid next week. The veteran Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher says he is considering seeking Fianna Fáil nomination to run, but
Fine Gael's Seán Kelly
has ruled himself out, with Mairead McGuinness now widely expected to seek Áras election.
The
Occupied Territories Bill
is now undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. The big question remains whether the proposed bill
will include services
along with the prohibition of trade in goods with Israeli companies operating in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories.
Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week:
The throwaway
lyrics of Oasis
, the social cohesion of the
July 12th bonfires
, and when
crying in public
is the natural thing to do.
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Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘Taking over the city, letting our voices be heard, being visible - that's the real power of today'
Thousands attended the annual Trans and Intersex Pride march through Dublin city centre on Saturday in what was the event's largest ever turnout. A parade of sound and colour made its way from City Hall to Leinster House as spectators watched the demonstrators chant, sing and wave flags and banners as part of their combined protest and celebration. Outgoing Trinity College Students' Union president Jenny Maguire, who is co-organiser of the event, said they were 'trying to show that a united movement is the way forward in pushing for a better Ireland for everyone. 'We want the Government to implement an informed consent, GP-led healthcare model. The current reform that they're trying to do will still hurt trans people. We need it led by the community. We need intersex people to be recognised and de-medicalised. READ MORE 'A review is happening at the moment but it's by the people who currently run the system and that system goes against the World Health Organisation guidelines.' Ms Maguire said the last programme for government contained a trans inclusive model for healthcare and but it was removed from the current programme. 'The Government is afraid of the far right but we are showing that the support is here for trans people,' she said. On the march numerous chants were sung: 'Trans rights, women's rights – same struggle, same fight,' was one call and response. 'Trans healthcare is our right – this is why we have to fight', was another. Marchers at the Trans and Intersex Pride event in Dublin. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni 'Not the church, not the State, we alone decide our fate,' the demonstrators chanted as well as 'one struggle, one fight, Palestine, trans rights'. The trans blue, pink and white flag was hoisted by many while others carried Palestinian, Amnesty International and political party flags and banners including the Socialist Party, Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Labour. One speaker at the event, Sexy Tadhg, who addressed and sang for the crowd said 'taking over the city and taking up space and letting our voices be heard' and being visible 'is the best thing we can achieve today'. 'We're reminding Dublin, and Ireland and the world that trans people are here that trans Ireland people exist, intersex Irish people exist and we are so beautiful and we are so gorgeous and we're letting our voices be heard. That's the real power of today.' An Indian member of the Queer Asian Pride Ireland who addressed the crowd but did not wish to be identified, spoke of 'how every single day for trans people it's so, so difficult to live our daily lives whether in university, at workplaces, in hospital, wherever it is. 'We have been spat at, yelled at. I have been egged. I have been mocked so many times, just walking on the street. I am visibly queer and visibly trans and you see the colour of my skin and I can't tell where the hate is coming from whether it is transphobia, homophobia or whether it is racism.' Ollie Bell, an LGBTQ+ activist, leads the annual Trans and Intersex Pride march towards the Dáil from Dame Street. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni Labour TD Duncan Smith said the party is showing 'full solidarity with the trans community'. He said the parade is getting bigger each year 'because I think there's a realisation that the trans community need proper allegiance, proper support'. Labour will put a motion on the order paper this coming week on trans healthcare, 'the first motion on trans healthcare ever in the Dáil', he said. 'The National Transgender Service isn't fit for purpose for trans people and our health service needs to recognise that,' he said. The motion calls for 'what every citizen in this country should have….. healthcare in the community, GP-led healthcare, informed consult-led healthcare.' Logan Ferrante is a student from Georgia, US is visiting Ireland as part of a three-week study abroad programme. 'I thought it really important to come here today to fight not only for Irish transgender rights but for the rights of all transgender people globally.' Ciarán O'Donnell was one of a number of people wearing a T-shirt with the message 'Protect the Dolls'. He said it was introduced in May 'as a fashion statement to show your support and solidarity for trans people'.
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Question mark over Mary Lou McDonald's potential candidacy as support for Connolly builds
AS OPPOSITION PARTIES on the left have begun to back Independent Catherine Connolly for the Áras, it remains uncertain whether Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will contest the presidency. Galway West TD Connolly confirmed to the Connacht Tribune on Thursday that she intends to enter the presidential race. The Social Democrats are backing her bid. Today, People Before Profit said that its steering committee has agreed to endorse Connolly. Subject to ratification by a national council of the party's members, TDs Paul Murphy and Richard Boyd Barrett will formally nominate the former Mayor of Galway for the position. Paul Murphy described Connolly as a 'popular principled figure on the left' and said that the party is pleased that she has put herself forward as a candidate. He urged others on the left to join her campaign. He added that having a president on the left would be a powerful political force that would enable the left 'to finally end the rule of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. It's what so many want.' Advertisement The Social Democrats has 11 representatives in the Oireachtas, with 10 TDs and one senator. People Before Profit-Solidarity has three TDs. The Labour Party, the Green Party, and Sinn Féin have yet to indicate whether they will be backing Connolly, although it is possible that Sinn Féin, given its position as the second largest party in the Dáil, will soldier on with its own candidate. Speaking of… Mary Lou McDonald Mary Lou McDonald addresses a rally at the GPO this afternoon. Sinn Féin Sinn Féin At the beginning of the week, there were shockwaves as Mary Lou McDonald dodged questions regarding her potential candidacy for the role of Uachtarán na hÉireann after previously ruling herself out. McDonald addressed a protest against the Government's proposed repurposing of the GPO for office and retail space rather than Sinn Féin's proposed cultural quarter this afternoon. 'This is not just a building,' she told attendees. 'For generations, the GPO has stood as a living testament to the values and ideals of the Proclamation, to the vision of the Ireland that can be. Related Reads Left parties begin to align behind Catherine Connolly in race for Áras Mary Lou McDonald refuses to rule herself out as Sinn Féin presidential candidate 'This is just the government's latest decision. They've backed a British property developer to turn the Moore Street 1916 battlefield site into a commercial space. 'Our message to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, our message to Micheál Martin and Simon Harris, is very clear. Scrap this shameful plan to use the GPO for shops and offices. Before the Dáil rises for the Summer, the Taoiseach must tell the people of Ireland that the government's plan won't go ahead.' In a slightly more unexpected appearance, McDonald also showed up on screen at the Wolfe Tones gig in Thomond Park in Co Limerick last night. The Sinn Féin leader addressed the crowd in what could potentially be interpreted as a kick-off to her campaign, and sang a few lines from the Wolfe Tones' 'Let the People Sing'. Mother of Jesus....!!!! — South East Military Veterans (@EastVeterans) July 12, 2025 Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan told RTÉ Radio One this afternoon that Sinn Féin's membership met and had a consultation on the matter of who the party would back for the presidency. She said a report was compiled and sent to the Ard Chomhairle. 'Everything is on the table,' Boylan added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Donald Trump threatens to revoke Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship
President Donald Trump has said he might revoke Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship after she criticised his administration's handling of weather forecasting agencies in the wake of the deadly Texas floods, the latest salvo in a years-long feud the two have waged over social media. 'Because of the fact that Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship,' Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, invoking a deportation rationale the administration has used in attempts to remove foreign-born protesters from the country. 'She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!,' he added. Under US law, a president cannot revoke the citizenship of an American born in the United States. O'Donnell was born in New York state. O'Donnell, a long-time target of Trump's insults and jabs, moved to Ireland earlier this year with her 12-year-old son after the start of the president's second term. She said in a March TikTok video that she would return to the US 'when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America.' O'Donnell responded to Mr Trump's threat in two posts on her Instagram account, saying that the US president opposes her because she 'stands in direct opposition with all he represents.' Mr Trump's disdain for O'Donnell dates back to 2006 when the comedian and TV host mocked him over his handling of a controversy concerning a winner of the Miss USA pageant, which he had owned. His s latest jab at O'Donnell seemed to be in response to a TikTok video she posted this month mourning the 119 deaths in the July 4th floods in Texas and blaming Mr Trump's widespread cuts to environmental and science agencies involved in forecasting major natural disasters. [ Rosie O'Donnell: 'I already had $100m. If you want more, you're missing the point of your life' Opens in new window ] 'What a horror story in Texas,' O'Donnell said in the video. 'And you know, when the president guts all the early warning systems and the weathering forecast abilities of the government, these are the results that we're gonna start to see on a daily basis.' The Trump administration, as well as local and state officials, have faced mounting questions over whether more could have been done to protect and warn residents in advance of the Texas flooding, which struck with astonishing speed in the predawn hours of the Independence Day holiday on July 4th and killed at least 120, including dozens of children. Mr Trump on Friday visited Texas and defended the government's response to the disaster, saying his agencies 'did an incredible job under the circumstances.' – Reuters (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025
