Carrickmore solicitor Órfhlaith Begley has been elected the new Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone in yesterday’s by-election.

Prior to the election, 26-year-old Ms Begley practised in both civil and criminal law. She describes herself as a “passionate human rights advocate”.

She studied Law with Politics at Queen’s University Belfast and subsequently at the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies.

Commenting after her election, Ms Begley said: “This is an historic result for Sinn Féin. The people of West Tyrone have elected their first female MP but, more than that, they have given a huge endorsement to our vision for a new type of politics and an Ireland that treats every single citizen with equality and respect.”

She added: “The people of West Tyrone have overwhelmingly endorsed Sinn Féin’s position that the political institutions must be restored on the basis of rights, respect and equality.”