Passing first test 'really encouraging' for united left bloc: Padraig Mac Lochlainn

Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn says that a successful Presidential election from a united left could set a marker for future campaigns.

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is set to a landslide win in the 2025 Presidential election.

Sinn Féin, the largest opposition party, joined Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Green Party in backing Connolly’s bid for the Áras.

“There is an alternative to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and this first test for us is really encouraging,” Donegal TD Mac Lochlainn said.

“We united together, Sinn Féin 100% Redress, Independents across Donegal, as was the case across the country, and it looks like it's going to be 75% or so she has taken, which is a massive vote across Donegal. 

“From a national perspective, it's looking like maybe 60% plus on the first count, so it's a landslide victory, and we're just delighted she's going to be a brilliant candidate, a brilliant president.

“It is very encouraging. I mean, you clearly have a combined opposition that's been working together from the start of this Dáil. 

“First of all, we confronted the Lowry debacle, where the government clearly went into government with independents who were under the leadership of Michael Lowry, and we stood up against that. 

“We've continued to work together, and this campaign is the culmination of that.”

Deputy Mac Lochlainn says that people in his constituency are “clearly not happy with the government”.

Read next: Final tallies: Catherine Connolly on course for huge endorsement from Donegal voters

He said: “That's an understatement. On major issues, be it the housing crisis, the cost of living crisis - people are really struggling to pay their bills every week - the health services and, of course, defective blocks isn't resolved, far from resolved in Donegal.

“I think it's a really strong message, but it's across the country, and Donegal is going to be right at the very top of the percentages for Catherine Connolly, but it's a universal... I'm proud to say our people stood up and said this is our message to the government.”