Mary Lou McDonald

The leader of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald has been a face of the campaign to scrap a ban on abortions. In a referendum, voters in the Republic of Ireland voted overwhelmingly to overturn the abortion ban. The campaign also increased the profile of Ms McDonald who took over as the leader of Sinn Féin in February. Her personal story is very different from other leading Sinn Féin politicians. Growing up in a middle class suburb of Dublin - a world away from the tough areas of Northern Ireland most Sinn Féin leaders knew during the years of the Troubles - insiders asked whether her untypical background would work for or against her. Presenter: Ed Stourton Producers: Estelle Doyle, Clare Spencer.