Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald refuses to rule out attending IRA funerals if she becomes Taoiseach

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to state whether or not she would go to IRA funerals if she became Taoiseach.

Speaking to reporters in DCU, Ms McDonald said that funerals are “human goodbyes”. She has faced criticism from Finn Gael over her refusal on the Virgin Media “Big Interview” on Wednesday night to stay whether or not she would attend such a gathering.

Ms McDonald said that she realises that if she were Taoiseach, she would represent a wider range of people than just her core supporters.

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She said: “I was at Martin McGuinness’ funeral. Not alone was I there, Bill Clinton was there. Bertie Ahern was there. I think there were Fine Gael-ers there. The point that I made [on Virgin Media] is if I were Taoiseach, of course, I would be aware that you represent and you carry yourself beyond just your Republican base.

“I absolutely accept and realise that. As a matter of fact, I attempt to reach out and stretch beyond our base as the leader of Sinn Féin. But the office of Taoiseach is different. I'm also an Irish Republican. I'm also a human being. I also reserve the human decency right that if I know somebody, irrespective of their politics or who they are, that I can go and mark their [death]."

It was put to Ms McDonald that funerals in the Republican tradition were a “political statement”. She responded: “Funerals are human goodbyes. That's what funerals are. I've attended funerals of former Taoisigh who were not of my political [party]. I believe in respect for the dead.”

In Skerries, north Dublin, Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was “disappointing” Ms McDonald said she would not rule out going to IRA funerals.

“I think it’s very important to be always sensitive to victims,” he said. "I think the idea of an Irish Taoiseach turning up at an IRA funeral would cause a lot of hurt to people. I wasn’t very surprised by the comments, was the truth, but I do think it’s an interesting question for her to ponder on.”

Ms McDonald was in DCU as part of the party’s plans to support students if Sinn Féin is elected to government. This includes abolishing the student contribution fee. She was surrounded by students on the Glasnevin campus and met several who were involved in journalism and politics courses.

This included Amy Casey, 20, from Roscommon, who is studying international relations and politics at DCU. She questioned Miss McDonald on what her party would do for mental health services in Ireland. She and two of her friends said that they had lost several acquaintances who took their own lives.

“The main thing is mental health. Without your mental health, you have nothing,” Amy told her.

“I was waiting nine months for an appointment. I got nine sessions. I know several of my friends are in CAMHs. There is very little support for eating disorder services. Although the housing issue is very important, without your mental health, the country won’t run properly.” She added: “If Sinn Féin promises to work on that, they will be getting my vote.”

Another student asked about the prospect of United Ireland, with Ms McDonald telling him that “all of you are going to live your best years in a united Ireland”.

Students also raised concerns about the course of living, insurance costs for young drivers and disability services. Samuel Kennedy, 20, from Roscommon, told Ms McDonald that he believed she would be a “fantastic Taoiseach”.

“Can I be Tánaiste?” he asked. “You’ll have to get elected first,” she responded.

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