Mary Lou McDonald the heir apparent as Sinn Féin President

Mary Lou McDonald is seen as the chosen candidate to fill the position of Sinn Féin president, writes Elaine Loughlin

Before Gerry Adams announced on Saturday night that he would be stepping aside after 35 years at the helm of Sinn Féin, heads had already turned towards McDonald, who has been pushed by the party as their leading star for some time.

While Sinn Féin is not lacking in a crop of ambitious younger generation politicians, such as Pearse Doherty and Eoin Ó Broin, the succession conversation seems to have finished before anyone has opened their mouths.