Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that even without all the votes counted, there is a clear sign the people want change.

Could Sinn Féin's biggest asset now become a liability facing into one of the most important elections in the party's history? After a summer of soul searching, Sinn Féin and it

The Sinn Féin leader said that her party will talk to any of the smaller parties and independents who are on the left and share progressive views

Mary Lou McDonald (55) has been the leader of Sinn Féin since February 2018 and a TD for Dublin Central since 2011. She succeeded Gerry Adams as leader, who had been at the helm of the party for 34 years.

Friday's vote is "an historic opportunity" to elect Ireland's first female prime minister, Ms McDonald says, and should that happen, she plans to put reunification at the heart of government, with a referendum by 2030.