Maskey to contest by-election for Sinn Féin

West Belfast Assembly member Paul Maskey will contest the constituency's Westminster seat, Sinn Féin has confirmed .

A by-election, sparked by Gerry Adams' decision to step down, will be held on June 9.

The Sinn Féin president left the West Belfast seat he first won in 1983 to stand for election in the Republic.

He successfully become TD for Louth and led his party to a tripling of its strength in the Dáil to take 14 seats.

Mr Maskey said: "I am very honoured to be selected to run for this seat by my party colleagues.

"Last year, Gerry Adams as MP for West Belfast took the very courageous step to stand for election in Co Louth, with the commitment to challenge the economic malaise that the 26 counties is facing."

He added: "Obviously if elected I will seek to continue the work that Gerry Adams has carried out on behalf of the people of West Belfast since 1983 when he was first elected."