Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile steps down

Niall Ó Donnghaile

Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile has resigned from the Seanad (Irish senate) for health reasons.

Mr Ó Donnghaile was a member of the Republic of Ireland's upper chamber since 2016.

He was previously a councillor in Belfast and in 2011 served as the city's youngest lord mayor, then aged 25.

In a statement, Mr Ó Donnghaile said he has been unable to attend the Seanad since the summer recess "on the advice of my doctor".

"It is unlikely that this situation will change in the short term," he said.

"Therefore, I feel the best decision for myself, my family and the party going forward is to resign from the Seanad and step back from public life."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Mr Ó Donnghaile had given a "voice to northern nationalists" in the Oireachtas (Irish Houses of Parliament).

She said he provided a "valuable contribution" to a joint Oireachtas committee on the implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

"I hope that Niall can overcome the health challenges that he has had to deal with over the past number of months, and I wish him and his family the very best for the future," she added.