How much is Sinn Féin willing to give up in its quest for power?

The party is on the one road — into government — but they ought to be wary of trying to be all things to all voters 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald in triumphal mood at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis at the Helix in Dublin. Picture: Damien Storan/PA

It used to be the case in Ireland that you waited until you entered government before you gave up your principles, but Sinn Féin does claim to be the party of change.

Yesterday, Mary Lou McDonald's party voted to change its long and dearly-held policy against non-jury courts, which were once described as "the single biggest denial of fair trial rights in our legal system", according to the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).