Mary Lou McDonald could be named Sinn Féin leader in two weeks

Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald is set to be named the party’s next leader as soon as January 19 after party officials announced a two-week process for interested candidates to put their name forward to replace current leader Gerry Adams.

No formal changing of leader will take place until a special ard fhéis at the RDS in Dublin on February 10. However, to date, Ms McDonald, currently a TD for Dublin Central, is the only potential candidate to express an interest in replacing Mr Adams, 69, with all other possible alternatives saying that they do not want to become the next leader of Sinn Féin.

If, as expected, Ms McDonald, 48, puts her name forward without any other candidate seeking nomination, she will become the de facto next leader of Sinn Féin on Friday week, when it will be confirmed that no leadership race will take place before the February 10 announcement.