Mary Lou wants to be a modern leader but is hobbled by the past

It was the day after the first RTÉ Claire Byrne debate on the abortion referendum, which had turned into a shouting match: The anti-abortion side had hijacked the programme.

One participant on the pro-choice panel had stood out. It was Mary Lou McDonald.

This wasn’t a surprise. The Sinn Féin leader can mix it with the best of them and has a sterling record on this issue.