Sinn Féin's presidential election decision in few weeks
She said a process was under way and there was more work to do.
Asked whether she might run, Ms McDonald said "all options are on the table".
On possibly supporting Independent TD Catherine Connolly, Ms McDonald said the party had not decided whether to run its own candidate or to back somebody else and she said "good luck to her".
Ms Connolly confirmed that she will formally declare her candidacy next week and the campaign was already "taking shape".
She was speaking at a Sinn Féin rally in central Dublin billed as a demonstration to "save" the GPO.
Ms McDonald said the historic complex should not be given over to retail.
Meanwhile People Before Profit's steering committee has agreed to endorse Ms Connolly for President.
"Catherine Connolly is a popular, principled figure on the left and we are pleased that she has put herself forward as a candidate. We welcome that the Social Democrats have also given their support to Catherine and we urge others on the left to join her campaign," TD Paul Murphy said.
"We believe that an imaginative campaign in support of Catherine, articulating a radical, progressive vision, and with the energetic backing of the parties of the left, can build a powerful momentum to achieve an important victory."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
13 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
RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin's presidential election decision in few weeks
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has again repeated that the party is considering its options on this year's presidential election and will arrive at a decision in a few weeks. She said a process was under way and there was more work to do. Asked whether she might run, Ms McDonald said "all options are on the table". On possibly supporting Independent TD Catherine Connolly, Ms McDonald said the party had not decided whether to run its own candidate or to back somebody else and she said "good luck to her". Ms Connolly confirmed that she will formally declare her candidacy next week and the campaign was already "taking shape". She was speaking at a Sinn Féin rally in central Dublin billed as a demonstration to "save" the GPO. Ms McDonald said the historic complex should not be given over to retail. Meanwhile People Before Profit's steering committee has agreed to endorse Ms Connolly for President. "Catherine Connolly is a popular, principled figure on the left and we are pleased that she has put herself forward as a candidate. We welcome that the Social Democrats have also given their support to Catherine and we urge others on the left to join her campaign," TD Paul Murphy said. "We believe that an imaginative campaign in support of Catherine, articulating a radical, progressive vision, and with the energetic backing of the parties of the left, can build a powerful momentum to achieve an important victory."
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Extra.ie
Presidential race heats up but who are Labour backing?
Labour is 'leaning' towards backing Catherine Connolly in the presidential race – despite her turbulent history with the party. Yesterday, the Independent TD announced she plans to run for the Áras. Labour Party sources have said members will be consulted, with feedback expected within the month. However, the view from certain party quarters is that the idea of a joint left-leaning candidate came from Labour leader Ivana Bacik – and any 'sniping' over the years 'is just politics at the end of the day'. Ms Connolly confirmed her intention yesterday to seek nomination to succeed Michael D Higgins in the upcoming Presidential election. Catherine Connolly. Pic: Arthur Carron/Collins Photos 'I've support from across the spectrum, including the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Solidarity (PBPS), as well as a number of senators and others,' the Galway TD told the Connacht Tribune. 'I'll be formally launching my campaign next week.' Ms Connolly had been widely seen as a frontrunner in the search among left-leaning parties in the Dáil. A survey of Social Democrats' members found that the vast majority of them – nine in 10 respondents – were in favour of running a Presidential candidate, with Catherine Connolly 'by far the most frequent name to be suggested'. 'Catherine has been a tireless advocate for progressive causes and we believe she would make an excellent President,' the party said. Asked by the Irish Daily Mail if the Social Democrats will be the primary funder of Ms Connolly's campaign, a party source said that she will be managing her own campaign, and details of the Social Democrats' support have yet to be finalised. Ms Connolly is also expected to get the backing of People Before Profit, as well as some independent TDs and senators. Sinn Féin and Labour have yet to indicate whether they will support Ms Connolly in her bid, with both parties undertaking their own internal processes. But numerous sources in Labour told it is 'more likely than not' the party will back her bid for the Áras. Ms Connolly first entered politics in 1999 when she was elected to Galway City Council as a Labour representative. She left the party before the 2007 general election after the party stopped her from running for the Dáil alongside Michael D Higgins, although she previously said this was a case of the party 'leaving her'. Mary Lou has not ruled herself out. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire In 2016, she made headlines when she accused Labour of 'losing its soul'. Earlier this week, one member of the party expressed their views about supporting Ms Connolly due to her foreign policy views, describing her as the 'Clare Daly candidate'. A well-placed Labour source acknowledged there are 'mixed feelings' about Ms Connolly in the party, but said 'on the whole, we share many of the same values'. 'Ivana has had multiple conversations with Catherine about the Presidency and we are the ones who were leading on running a joint, left-leaning candidate,' they said. 'Of course we are going to consult with our membership, but Ms Connolly has many good qualities that we can get behind.' Another added: 'It has been clear for a while that the direction of travel for any joint-left candidate was Catherine. Sure, there has been some sniping over the years, but it is politics at the end of the day. No decisions have been made yet, but it is fair to say we are leaning towards backing her.' Catherine Connolly. Pic: Leah Farrell/ A Sinn Féin spokesman said the party is still in discussions about joining the left alliance or fielding a candidate of its own. 'All options are on the table,' they said. Earlier this week, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald refused to rule herself out of the running to become the next President of Ireland. It appeared to be a change of position from March, when Ms McDonald said she would not be running, and she was focusing on work towards a future Sinn Féin government. Fine Gael's deadline for Presidential candidates will close on Tuesday, and in all likelihood Mairead McGuinness will be the sole nomination after Seán Kelly decided earlier this week not to contest. Fianna Fáil has kept its cards close to its chest on whether it will be running a candidate, having sat out the last two Presidential elections. Minister of State at the Department of Justice Niall Collins said yesterday the party will make its position known by September, but it 'won't be running a candidate for the sake of it'.
