New Sinn Féin President-Elect has been confirmed
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New Sinn Féin President-Elect has been confirmed

MARY LOU MCDONALD is to set to assume role left behind by Gerry Adams.

The TD, who has represented Dublin south central since 2011, has been confirmed as the only candidate nominated to replace Gerry Adams as President of the Sinn Féin party.

Gerry Adams has held the position since 1983, but in 2017 announced he would be resigning from his post.

Sinn Féin's ard comhairle (high council) met in Belfast on Saturday, where McDonald was formally ratified as the only nominee for the position.

She will be formally ratified to her new position at a special Ard-Fheis due to held on February 10.

According to RTE, the president elect said she was looking forward to the future of Sinn Féin.

"I know I have big shoes to fill taking on the role from Gerry Adams and I know that is impossible but I have brought my own shoes and together, with all of the party membership, we will walk on a journey that will lead to Irish unity.

She said her primary concern would be uniting Ireland: "Uniting this island is the best outcome for all our citizens and it is now our task to convince our unionist friends and neighbours of that and to encourage them to help us build a new Ireland.

"We are entering a new era and we can look forward with confidence."