Elaine Loughlin: McDonald is seeking votes and transfers in fresh fields and pastures new

Aiming to form a coalition without the Civil War parties, Sinn Féin is going deep into 'their' turf with a transfer-friendly message to woo Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voters

In recent days, Mary Lou McDonald has not only indicated she is willing to climb into the bear pit to ensure her party gains power, she has actually clambered into the enclosure.

On Monday, the Sinn Féin leader turned up at an agriculture event in Limerick, which could not be further from her traditional support base.