SINN Féin's northern leader Michelle O'Neill is recognised wherever she goes but that made no difference when she turned up at the Mid Ulster count centre without ID.
Proof of identity is compulsory at an election count, no matter how well known the personality, and Ms O'Neill was refused entry to the count at Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena on Friday.
Michelle ONeill not allowed into MU count No ID @irish_news #AE17 pic.twitter.com/0lYTCn88N7
— Connla Young (@ConnlaYoung) March 3, 2017
She and her entourage had to linger in the reception area while a party member went to retrieve her handbag which she is understood to have left in a car.
The drama ended a few minutes later when the missing handbag was located and ID produced.
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Ms O'Neill went on to top the poll in Mid Ulster with 10,258 votes, taking a 20.42 per cent share of first-preference votes.
Handbag with ID arrives, crisis over @irish_news #AE17 pic.twitter.com/7vJFJkA6kg
— Connla Young (@ConnlaYoung) March 3, 2017
