Next leader will be handed a party dogged by allegations like no other

FOR the first time in the party’s history, Sinn Féin will next week host the most anticipated Ard Fheis in the political calendar. After almost 35 years at the helm of the Sinn Féin movement, Gerry Adams is expected to finally detail his plans to step down as party president, drawing a line under one of the most extraordinary political careers in modern-day politics.

The announcement, assuming it does take place next weekend, will inevitably spark a chorus of speculation surrounding Mr Adams’s successor.

Sinn Féin has many faults. It operates like a cult. It’s a party that defines its polices based on the direction of the wind: A populist force.

But Sinn Féin is also a party that oozes talent.

Unlike Fine Gael following Enda Kenny’s departure, there isn’t just one credible candidate in line to succeed Gerry Adams.

Mary Lou McDonald, Pearse Doherty and Eoin Ó Broin are among the most talented politicians in Dáil Éireann.

But truth be told, it’s well accepted within political circles that just one of the trio is in line to take over the throne.

The big test facing Ms McDonald is whether she will be able to do what Gerry Adams has never succeeded in doing: Making Sinn Féin appeal to the wider audience.

Her first challenge is drawing a line under the bullying culture that has dogged no other party bar Sinn Féin.

And the party only has itself to blame.

Sinn Féin set the bar so low – in terms of how it treats people who speak out – in relation to the infamous case involving Máiría Cahill in 2014.

Ms Cahill was ridiculed, dismissed, bullied, and treated like dirt.

If it wasn’t for her courage in speaking out we would not have seen the domino effect that has followed.

Let us remember, Ms Cahill wasn’t just harassed or shunned aside.

She was raped by an IRA figure and then subjected to the type of interrogation that is not only illegal, but inhumane.

She was dragged into a room and subjected to a kangaroo court – the type of interrogation that is normally reserved for murderers and rapists.

Why have we let Sinn Féin away with this?

Ms Cahill’s case has, of course, been raised regularly in the Dáil.

But the many women who have since spoken out would not have done so if it was not for her.

But like most true heroes, Irish society eventually moves on and forgets about their cause.

Lisa Marie Sheehy in Limerick, Tara Reynor O’Grady in Wicklow, Sorcha

O’Neill in Kildare and Sandra McLellan have all left the scene because of how people are treated in Sinn Féin.

And it’s not just women. Seamie Morris, Paul Hogan, the three councillors in Wicklow have all spoken about a culture that is beyond toxic.

Has Sinn Féin done enough for Paudie McGahon, the young Louth father who was raped by the IRA? He is still scarred to this day.

It’s over to you Mary Lou. Either stick with the status quo or stand up to the men in Belfast who dictate your every move.