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Matt Cooper: Sinn Féin’s ‘angry/happy’ routine last week exposes fear of being outflanked by populists

Mary Lou McDonald’s shortcomings as leader are in contrast to the sure-footed performance of Michelle O’Neill so far as the North’s first minister

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald: One poll suggested a majority of the electorate want a general election, but another had Sinn Féin at 23 per cent in voting intentions. Picture: PA

Sinn Féin had an angry week south of the border. It vented about being denied an immediate general election, the suitability of Simon Harris to be Taoiseach and his not turning up to face questions in the Dáil on Wednesday, claiming he was missing on his first day of action.

All this, paradoxically, made Sinn Féin very happy. While the anger expressed may have been genuine, it was also a wonderful opportunity for the party ...