Sinn Féin says united Ireland ‘within touching distance’ as Stormont deal agreed

Party prepares to claim Northern Ireland first minister post for first time with power sharing set to resume

Sinn Fein has said a united Ireland is within touching distance" as the party prepares to claim the post of Northern Ireland first minister for the first time.

Mary Lou McDonald said on Tuesday the expected restoration of power sharing in the wake of a deal between the Democratic Unionist party and the UK government came amid a historical turning of the wheel" that would unite the island.