Mary Lou McDonald has accused Micheál Martin of being ‘delusional and disrespectful’ to northern nationalists. 

Yesterday, the Fianna Fáil President was asked about the legacy of the Troubles and whether it clouded his view of Sinn Féin; Micheál Martin replied that he was uncomfortable with the way Sinn Féin “triumphalise” the conflict. 

He also described the Troubles as a “war of the Provisional IRA… on its own people. It was a terrible war that held back this island”.

On The Hard Shoulder, Deputy McDonald was asked whether she would consider going into coalition with Fianna Fáil after the election.  

“I think it might be a bit of a stretch to call Fianna Fáil, under the leadership of Micheál Martin, as anything resembling a republican party,” she said. 

“I thought his commentary was absolutely astonishing from the leader of the party that, in fairness to Bertie Ahern and Albert Reynolds and others, was very constructive in terms of the North of Ireland and always recognising and acknowledging the experience of northern nationalists trapped in a sectarian State after partition. 

“Micheál Martin, it seems doesn’t believe that happened; absolutely remarkable and it’s commentary that I’m sure will upset and anger many people - especially northern nationalists.” 

Micheál Martin, Mary Lou McDonald and Simon Harris at Prime Time Leaders Debate. 26/11/2024 Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Deputy McDonald said the Tánaiste was ‘denying reality’ and that the Troubles began because of the “systemic discrimination” experienced by Catholic nationalists from the Northern State. 

“As somebody who wishes to be Taoiseach, to hear anybody make commentary as delusional and, frankly, as disrespectful to northern nationalists as that - it was jaw dropping,” she said. 

Despite this, Deputy McDonald refused to rule out going into coalition with Fianna Fáil, only insisting she would prefer a Government without them. 

“My objective through this campaign has been for a Government of change - without either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael,” she said. 

“I’ve always said that that is our objective and that’s our proposal - and now it falls into the hands of the people.” 

Polls open at 7am tomorrow on Friday.

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Main images shows Mary Lou McDonald in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk