SINN FÉIN HAS announced that it will challenge President Michael D Higgins in this year’s presidential election.

The party’s ard comhairle made the decision today, though a candidate has not yet been chosen. A committee to select a candidate will be chair by TD David Cullinane.

Earlier this week, Higgins confirmed that he will seek a second term of office. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that she supports there being a contest.

McDonald said:

“It is right that we give this generation the opportunity to be part of a wider conversation about what a better Ireland should look like. These citizens should be given the opportunity to be part of deciding who our President is. Those under the age of twenty-five have never voted in a Presidential election. They shouldn’t have to wait until the age of thirty-two to have this opportunity.

“It is simply wrong that citizens be denied their right to vote because the political establishment of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and Labour do not want an election.

“A presidential election can be a very positive thing for Ireland.”

Mary Lou McDonald making the announcement. Ronan Duffy Ronan Duffy

Martin McGuinness contested the 2011 election for Sinn Féin, getting 243,030 first preference votes – 13.7% of the votes.

With reporting from Ronan Duffy