Mary Lou’s big chance

MARY Lou McDonald was crowned Sinn Féin leader yesterday, bringing to an end the 34-year presidency of Gerry Adams. His is a divisive legacy, built on armed violence but later tempered by his negotiation of the peace.

Ms McDonald inherits a party tainted by its role in the conflict. As a clean pair of hands, her first job is to convince us that the party has changed. The time has come to see exactly what she is made of.