Politics

‘How on earth could I justify not coming?’ - Mary Lou McDonald on Washington visit

Sinn Féin leader said it was her ‘duty’ to speak to anyone she can in a bid to stop the spiralling death toll in Gaza

Mary Lou McDonald: “The question isn’t ‘why did you come?’ The question has to be ‘how could you possibly stay away?’” Picture: Getty

Mary Lou McDonald has defended her decision to go to the US for St Patrick’s Day despite calls for politicians to boycott events this year.

The Sinn Féin leader said she couldn’t refuse the “unparalleled access” that Washington DC offers this week.

She made the comments in the face of a push for politicians to snub meetings with senior US figures in a show of Irish opposition to the growing number of deaths and injuries ...