Mary Lou McDonald has made a healthy return to the public stage.
The Sinn Fein leader had been laid low by Covid-19 for the past month-and-a-half after first self-isolating over a suspected case in her children’s school, and then subsequent sickness.
Ms McDonald did have the virus, even though it took 16 days for her test result to come through.
Her illness was not mild and she also developed pleurisy as a result of the virus.
She is now recovered and participated in a Facebook Live event with Sinn Féin members on Monday evening and then appeared on RTE’s Six One last night looking in good health again.
She said: “I’m very well and I’m delighted to be at the far end of a very difficult experience and I’m delighted to be back at work.
“God knows, there’s lots and lots of work to be done.
“But my thoughts are of course with all of those who are now fighting this virus and in particular with those who have buried loved ones.
“My sympathies are with them and I’m heartbroken for them.”
