SINN FÉIN LEADER Mary Lou McDonald has said that a proposed ban on fox hunting is now the party’s policy, but that it is “clearly not the core mission”.

McDonald has sought to dampen down enthusiasm among the party faithful for a ban, after a shock result to change party policy on the issue came following a heated debate at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis on Friday night.

The party has previously faced criticism by its left colleagues in the Dáil for being on the same side of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the issue.

When doing the media rounds today on the back of the Ard Fheis, McDonald said she accepted that some members felt “very passionately” about a ban, but she argued that the party is defined by other issues.

Nonetheless, the Dublin TD said that it is “absolutely Sinn Féin policy” after the vote by delegates.

Asked on RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme how she voted, McDonald said she was not present for the vote.

“This has been subject of a lot of debate in the party,” she said, adding that she was told that both sides got a good airing.

“It’s an issue that some people feel very passionately on. It’s clearly not the core mission of Sinn Féin – we’re the party of Irish reunification, of social and economic justice but it’s an issue that delegates felt strongly [about],” she said.

On Friday night, TD for Cavan–Monaghan Matt Carthy spoke against the motion supporting the ban, stating that he does not know a “single Sinn Féin member who is an advocate for fox hunting”, but that supporting the motion would undo all the hard work done on the issue by the party with “rural working class” voters.

TD Matt Carthy speaking against motion 29 last night which argued the party should support a ban on fox hunting.

Despite his argument, the party voted in favour of the motion.

He said the Ard Fheis clár was sent to lobby groups before members.https://t.co/sKb6A9aXhL pic.twitter.com/AAaFIwuaCN

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) April 25, 2026

Speaking today, McDonald disagreed that the dispute symbolised a wider struggle in the party.

“The motion was about fox hunting,” she added.

McDonald said the relationship between the party and farming and rural groups remains strong despite the vote.

“The debate has been had. Sin é, Sinn Féin policy has been decided,” McDonald said.

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Following a vote last year, where Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil all voted in favour of allowing the blood sport to continue.

Afterwards, McDonald confirmed the party’s then support for the practice, including telling The Journal last year that was the right choice for the party.

Appearing on The Week in Politics, McDonald also fended off questions about her future leadership of the party.

She pointed to how the party is not just facing elections in Dublin Central and Galway West, but also has “work to do” preparing for Assembly elections next year in the north and the future general election in the south.

With reporting by Christina Finn