Alison O’Connor: Mary Lou has had her troubles as Sinn Féin leader, but is resurgent

Mary Lou McDonald in 2004, as a Sinn Féin candidate for the European elections. She is now party leader. Picture: Photocall Ireland

It was the 2004 European elections. Mary Lou McDonald was a candidate for the European Parliament. I was to accompany her on a canvass, preferably in her local neighbourhood of Rathgar, Dublin, where she grew up.

It quickly became clear that I would not be observing how she would be received in the leafy, middle-class suburbs. Eventually, there was a take-it or leave-it offer from Sinn Féin of an old local authority estate in Crumlin. I took it.