Fionnán Sheahan: Shinnerfreude all round but what’s Mary Lou McDonald’s excuse for election failure this time?

Sinn Féin leader faces difficult questions about her party’s tumble as others relish her embarrassment

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald votes in the local and European elections in Cabra, Dublin. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Fionnán Sheahan

Shinnerfreude: the pleasure derived by every other party from Sinn Féin’s misfortune.

The Fine Gaelers were grinning like Cheshire cats in the RDS. Seats they had previously given up on six months ago were suddenly topping the poll.