Sinn Fein’s McDonald refuses to rule out coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fail

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to the media on Merrion Street (Gareth Chaney/PA) - (PA Wire)

Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule out entering into coalition with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, as Sinn Fein kicked off its election campaign.

Ms McDonald said the “best outcome” of the election would be a government without those two parties – but stopped short of entering into a partnership with her long-term rivals.