Sinn Féin Junior Minister will not stand at next election

16:29, 16 Oct 2026Updated 16:30, 16 Oct 2026

Sinn Féin Junior Minister Aisling Reilly has announced that she will not contest the upcoming Assembly Election as she is set to undergo an operation which will require a "significant amount of time to recover".

The former all-Ireland handball champion had been co-opted into the West Belfast seat to replace Fra McCann who stood down from the Assembly in 2021 on health grounds.

Reilly was subsequently elected to the seat in the 2022 Assembly election and was appointed Junior Minister when the Assembly reconvened in February 2024.

Announcing her decision, the West Belfast MLA said: "It has been the absolute honour of my life to serve as MLA for West Belfast.

"In the period ahead, I will be going into hospital to undergo a hip operation. Many years of playing sport at a demanding level representing my club, county and country has taken its toll.

"After the operation, I will need a significant amount of time to recover and recuperate.

"I want to ensure that Sinn Féin has the best chance of winning the maximum number of seats in the Assembly election, which is why I have decided to announce now that I will not be putting my name forward for selection to stand in West Belfast in the Assembly election.

"This election is absolutely crucial for the future of Ireland.

"My constituency office will remain open to deliver a full service to the local community and as soon as possible, I will be back out doing everything I can to ensure that Sinn Féin’s West Belfast candidates are successful in the election."

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