A Dubliner has been chosen to contest the European Parliament elections for Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland.
Former Stormont health minister Ms Bairbre de Brun was last night chosen for next year's elections ahead of Dungannon councillor and peace process negotiator Mr Francie Molloy at a selection convention in Belfast.
She is the second woman in the party to be selected for the European Election next year. Ms Marylou McDonald is to contest the Dublin constituency in the Republic.
Ms De Brun will be bidding for Sinn Fein's first seat in the European Parliament from the three-seater Northern Ireland constituency.
Party leader Mr Gerry Adams congratulated Miss de Brun and also paid tribute to Mr Molloy, the defeated candidate. He described them "as two outstanding representatives".
The West Belfast MP predicted Sinn Fein would win a seat in the parliament next year.
"Next year, I believe the story of the European elections will again be Sinn Féin as we secure our first ever representation in the European Parliament and it is here in the six counties and in our capital city Dublin that we will start the journey.