Overview

• Mary Lou McDonald said the party chose Connolly to avoid splitting the anti‑establishment vote and to maximise the chance of keeping Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of the Áras.
• Sinn Féin will provide financial backing and on‑the‑ground campaigning to support Connolly’s bid.
• Connolly welcomed the endorsement, calling the left and centre‑left coalition behind her a welcome change while pledging to serve all voters if elected.
• The confirmed field now consists of Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Connolly, with nominations closing on 24 September and polling on 24 October.
• Other hopefuls continue to seek access to the ballot, with Maria Steen still short of 20 Oireachtas nominations and Gareth Sheridan pursuing additional local authority endorsements.