Breakaway republicans in election challenge to Adams

Republicans who broke away from Sinn Féin 20 years ago are to challenge Gerry Adams' party in at least 11 constituencies in the forthcoming Stormont Assembly Election.

However, Republican Sinn Féin has insisted none of its candidates will take their seats if they are elected to the Assembly.

The decision was taken after a special meeting of the party’s Ulster executive.

A Republican Sinn Féin statement said: “At a special meeting of the Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive) body of Republican Sinn Féin, a decision was taken to field candidates on an abstentionist basis in at least 11 of the 18 constituencies for the forthcoming Stormont elections.

“Selection conventions will take place in these constituencies within the next seven days, and details of candidates selected, our electoral strategy and policy will be revealed at a press conference in Belfast on the completion of the selection process.”

There had been speculation that the breakaway party, which was formed in 1986, may field prisoners in a bid to draw the votes of republicans disaffected by Sinn Féin’s decision eight days ago to sign up to policing arrangements in the North.

Sinn Féin is facing other electoral challenges from Assembly member Davy Hyland in Newry and Armagh who quit the party after he was deselected, former member Gerry McGeough who is running as an independent candidate in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and other possible candidates in Foyle, Mid Ulster, West Tyrone and North Antrim.

Former Sinn Féin leader Ruairi O Bradaigh established Republican Sinn Féin after walking out of a party conference in 1986 in protest at its decision to end its policy of refusing to take its seats in the Dáil.