Sinn Féin has defended its party leader's actions at the New York St Patrick's Day parade as she walked behind a banner reading: 'England, get out of Ireland'.
A picture showing Mary Lou McDonald walking in the parade was tweeted on the Sinn Féin twitter account, and received widespread criticism.
In a tweet, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said that MaryLou McDonald's actions were not leadership, and he urged her to grow up!
Sinn Féin is standing by the banner today, renewing calls for an all-Ireland forum on Irish unity.
The party's Deputy for Dublin North West Dessie Ellis says it's not the first year, this sign has appeared at the New York St Patrick's Day Parade, and there's nothing offensive about it.
@MaryLouMcDonald this is NOT leadership - it’s offensive, divisive and an embarrassment - grow up, this is NOT #ireland in 2019! we are better than this! 🇮🇪 https://t.co/LUbfbvOe6l
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) March 17, 2019
