Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has defended her use of the name “Londonderry” at an event in the city on Wednesday.
During a bridge-building visit to Derry and Donegal, Ms McDonald said: “We have had an engagement with young people with interests across Derry, or Londonderry, and it has been a really wonderful conversation and one that we need to build on because we have to live respectfully together and we know we can do that.”
Ms McDonald was speaking after meeting Presbyterian minister the Reverend David Latimer and members of his congregation on Wednesday.
She also visited the Ulster-Scots Heritage Centre in Donegal.
Rev Latimer was seen nodding enthusiastically as she said “Londonderry”.
Ms McDonald posted a video of the event on her Facebook page, which sparked criticism from some in the comments section.
Responding to the criticism, Ms McDonald said: “I’m well aware of the history of Derry and Donegal. I used the term to reflect the fact that we had a dialogue – a really good one - with people who see things differently to us.”
Irish republican Pádraic Mac Coitir tweeted that Londonderry was a “disgusting word”.
“Mary Lou McDonald isn’t the only SF member to use that disgusting word for Doire. During the blanket protest, some men from Doire were refused letters & visits coz they wouldn’t use that word. Shame on anyone claiming to be republican using it,” he tweeted.
On Wednesday, Sinn Féin announced it will back unionist Ian Marshall in this week’s Seanad byelection.
Mr Marshall is an anti-Brexit campaigner and former president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
