Sinn Féin to announce intentions around presidential election nomination next week

Should the party not run a candidate, it will back Galway West independent Catherine Connolly

Sinn Féin held an internal member consultation earlier this summer, with Mary Lou McDonald saying in July that all options including her own candidacy were on the table. Picture: Gareth Chaney/PA

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is expected to announce her party's intentions around the presidency in the next week, with those who support Catherine Connolly “anxiously” awaiting their decision.

The party held an internal member consultation earlier this summer, with Mary Lou McDonald saying in July that all options including her own candidacy were on the table. Within the party, there is an expectation that an announcement will come some time next week, with some saying that the mood on Ms McDonald putting herself forward had shifted over the summer.