Mary Lou McDonald apologises over parade banner

Image source, Sinn F茅in

Image caption, Mary Lou McDonald taking part in New York's St Patrick's Day parade with the banner

The Sinn F茅in leader has apologised for marching behind an "England get out of Ireland" banner on St Patrick's Day.

Mary Lou McDonald moved to reassure the public that its message was not directed at English people.

"For anybody who felt that it was directed at English people, I just want to reassure them that's not the case," she said.

Ms McDonald was condemned for posing with the sign last month in New York City's annual parade.

Her actions were described as offensive and divisive by T谩naiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney.

'Very welcome'

Speaking to RT脡 Radio 1, Ms McDonald said: "In respect of St Patrick's Day, I think it starts certainly a conversation around that banner which has been up and down Fifth Avenue for a generation.

"It's a very direct political statement, it's an anti-partition statement.

"I know it was taken by some to be directed at English people. It certainly was not and is not...

"Indeed I have blood relatives myself who are English... and English people are very welcome in Ireland.

"Many of them live amongst us, they are our neighbours and our friends, so certainly I apologise to anybody who felt that the banner was intended in that way, and I'm happy to clarify that it's not."