Sinn Féin will debate ending its longstanding opposition to the Special Criminal Court today.
The party is holding its first Ard Fheis since its historic general election result in the Helix in DCU.
Seán Defoe reports for RedFM News:
"Sinn Féin historically always opposed the Offences Against the State Act - the law which gives power to the juryless Special Criminal Court brought in to combat terrorism and organised crime.
The legislation has to be renewed by the Oireachtas every year due to the serious powers it confers.
Last year Sinn Féin abstained on the vote for the first time - this year TDs walked out of the Dáil chamber before the vote on the legislation.
A motion before the party's Ard Fheis today says the Special Criminal Court has no place in a modern criminal justice system.
But it admits juryless courts may be used in exceptional circumstances, subject to human rights oversights - a significant shift in policy.
Also on the agenda - motions on a public housing scheme, 100% Mica redress, a moratorium on data centres and calls for a Citizens' Assembly on a United Ireland.
This is the first Sinn Féin Ard Fheis since 2019, and the first since the party won a record 35 Dáil seats in the general election.
Trying to build on that momentum Mary Lou McDonald will deliver a keynote speech at the Ard Fheis entitled Time for Change."
