Mary Lou McDonald Expresses Sympathy, Particularly to Unionist Community
The leaders of Sinn Féin have conveyed their condolences to those grieving the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with a special mention of the unionist community. Mary Lou McDonald, the party leader, offered heartfelt sympathy to the royal family and the Irish unionists, acknowledging their profound sorrow.
This response is part of the ongoing evolution of diplomatic relations between Sinn Féin and the British establishment—an advancement that would have seemed unimaginable before the peace process. McDonald remarked, "To the royal family and all those mourning Queen Elizabeth’s passing, especially the Irish unionists, I express my sincere condolences. She led a full, remarkable life."
She went on to note, “Her lifetime saw significant changes in the relationship between our nations, and I pay tribute to her role in this transformation.”
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin’s leader in the Northern Ireland Assembly, also expressed her "deep regret" upon hearing the news. She highlighted the immense loss felt by the unionist community, acknowledging the grief they would endure.
This marks a sharp contrast to Sinn Féin's stance 11 years ago when the party refused to attend the Queen's landmark visit to Ireland—the first by a British monarch in a century. The visit was widely seen as a symbol of reconciliation, though Sinn Féin’s absence was considered out of step with broader public sentiment in Ireland at the time.
In the years that followed, relations have continued to improve, most notably with Martin McGuinness, former deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland and former IRA member, shaking hands with the Queen in Belfast in 2012. The symbolic gesture was a powerful moment, especially given the historical context of the 1979 assassination of Lord Mountbatten, the Queen's second cousin, by the IRA.
Another milestone came in 2015, when Prince Charles, during a visit to Ireland, met with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams in a symbolic handshake at the location where Mountbatten was killed. This encounter was hailed as another key moment in the development of diplomatic ties between Sinn Féin and the British monarchy.
Hello world!
Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields