MARY LOU MCDONALD has already started to look ahead to the next 20 days as Sinn Féin hope to bag three European Parliament seats and places on every local authority.

“We want to return Sinn Féin representation to every local authority across the country. That’s the game plan. That’s Plan A. That’s Plan B,” she said.

Speaking in Dublin this afternoon, the TD said she was looking forward to the return of president Gerry Adams to lead the campaign trail ahead of the European and local elections.

She again dismissed suggestions that she would take over as interim leader.

“That issue does not arise,” she told reporters. “Gerry is the President of Sinn Fein. He is our leader. We support him.”

The party performed well in polls this week, despite the arrest and detention of Adams who was released this evening.

McDonald said she believes Adams enjoys support from the ordinary people on the street.

Both McDonald and her party colleague Martin McGuinness have been vocal in their criticism of “dark forces” working within the PSNI.

The party claims Adams’s arrest was politically motivated and charged.

McDonald also urged politicians in Leinster House to increase their own engagement with the peace process, and be more “energetic and assertive”.

She also criticised the British Government for not being as supportive it should have been during the Haas negotiations.

Meanwhile, McGuinness clarified earlier remarks, confirming his continued support for the policing system in Northern Ireland.

Martin McGuinness: ‘Gerry Adams told me he wasn’t involved and I absolutely believe him’

‘Extremely angry’ Mary Lou McDonald has not spoken with Gerry Adams since his arrest