Kevin Cunningham: The rise and rise of Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin is now the biggest political party in the Dáil, and pollsters say, the most popular. How and why?

The Sinn Féin voter may be characterised as displaying the three features of: left-wing, populist, and economically disaffected. Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

As of this month, all four public opinion polling companies place Sinn Féin as the most popular political party in the state. Further emphasising the party’s newfound dominance, Marc MacSharry’s resignation makes Sinn Féin the largest political party in Dáil Éireann.

Having increased their vote share in each of the last eight general elections the obvious question is: How has a political party so connected to some of the biggest atrocities on this island become so popular?