O’Neill hails ‘momentous’ result as party becomes largest in local government

Sinn Fein’s Padraig Donnelly (centre) and Irish Senator Niall ODonnghaile (left) celebrate winning a seat at the Northern Ireland council elections at Belfast City Hall (

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill has hailed a “momentous” election result with her party becoming the largest in councils in Northern Ireland.

As the local government elections count neared its conclusion on Saturday evening, the republican party had 138 elected councillors, with gains achieved across the region.