I'm not Gerry's puppet, says Mary Lou McDonald

New Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has insisted she is not a "puppet" for her predecessor Gerry Adams, after denying the former leader's influence means he is effectively still in charge of the party, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

Ms McDonald made the comments in her first media interviews since being officially elected, during which she separately said "the IRA has gone away" and confirmed TDs or Senators who vote against party abortion policy will face disciplinary action.