Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald would be a serious contender for Ireland’s presidency if she ran, a new poll has found.
While the poll does not place McDonald as a clear frontrunner, it has her just a few points behind the current marginal favourite.
It shows Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys in poll position – albeit narrowly on 21% – with Fianna Fáil’s prospective pick Jim Gavin just a percentage point behind.
Independent candidate Catherine Connolly also sits on 20%.
Ms McDonald has said she is keeping an open mind on a presidental run with the party hiearachy expected to meet on Monday to discuss their options of running a candidate or supporting Ms Connolly.
If Ms McDonald entered the race she would have the support of 17% of voters, according to the survey for the Sunday Independent carried out by the Ireland Thinks polling company.
In a four-way race, Ms Humprehys would continue to lead at 19%, Mr Gavin would be on 18% and Ms Connolly would drop back to 14%
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Gareth Chaney/PA)
The Sinn Féin leader would be considerably more popular than any other potential candidate from her party, the poll indicates, winning 17% of the public’s vote. This is nearly double the support for Michelle O’Neill, Gerry Adams or Pearse Doherty, all sitting at around 9%.
Her popularity among Sinn Féin supporters is even more pronounced, at a 35% – 20 points ahead of former party president and former Louth TD Gerry Adams on 15%.
Although Sinn Féin has stated it will back a candidate – whether its own or not – the party is still weighing up its options ahead of the vote.
McDonald has vowed a unified internal stance over the party’s ultimate presidential election choice, given the dilemmas it could pose.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill (Liam McBurney/PA)
There has been considerable speculation as to who Sinn Féin‘s candidate may be, with apparent appetite among its voters after two strong showings in last year’s and 2020’s elections for the Dáil Éireann.
This is despite concerns a Sinn Féin candidate could split the left vote.
Humphreys and Connolly, who currently appear to be neck and neck, are the only two confirmed candidates so far.
The vote will be held on Friday October 24.