First Sinn Féin first minister ‘shows Irish unity is within touching distance’

Sinn Fein representatives MLA Conor Murphy, president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O’Neill in the Great Hall at Stormont, Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has claimed Irish unity is now within “touching distance” as she hailed the significance of her party assuming the role of Stormont's first minister for the first time.

Ms McDonald said the expected appointment of her party colleague Michelle O’Neill into the job in the coming days would be a moment of “very great significance”.