Former hunger striker to replace Adams
Former IRA hunger striker Pat Sheehan has been chosen by Sinn Fein to replace Gerry Adams at Stormont.
Mr Sheehan was selected as the party’s new MLA for West Belfast during a meeting at the Irish Republican Felons clubrooms on Tuesday night.
The 52-year-old, from the Falls Road in Belfast, spent 55 days on hunger strike in the Maze prison in 1981. He was 23 at the time.
It follows Gerry Adams‘ announcement at the weekend that he would step down to run for Louth TD in the next Irish general election.
Five out of six seats in the West Belfast constituency are held by Sinn Fein. Mr Sheehan will join sitting MLAs Jennifer McCann, Paul Maskey, Sue Ramsey and Fra McCann.
Sinn Fein President Adams will remain as MP for the area until the Irish elections.
