Sinn Féin has selected its three candidates for the Foyle constituency in the next Assembly election, seeking to return three MLAs for the first time.

The party announced Ciara Ferguson, Sandra Duffy and Christopher Jackson at a launch event at the Maldron Hotel in Derry on Thursday.

Current Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson is standing again after first being elected in 2021. She has been serving alongside party colleague Pádraig Delargy, who is not seeking re-election.

North Belfast MP John Finucane told the gathering the party was standing three candidates to win and described the move as part of a wider political transformation.

Ferguson said she was proud of her work on issues affecting workers, families and communities, and welcomed the chance to help elect three Sinn Féin representatives.

Councillor Sandra Duffy, a former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, highlighted her community work supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges.

Christopher Jackson, a councillor raised in the Waterside, said three MLAs would provide strong representation and ensure the city’s priorities are championed in the Assembly.

The decision to run three candidates comes after Delargy confirmed he would not contest the election. It is the first time since 2016 that Sinn Féin has put forward three candidates in the constituency.