Mary Lou McDonald has claimed the exclusion of her party from televised leaders' debates is "unacceptable in an open democracy".

The Sinn Féin leader sat down for an in-depth interview on The Hard Shoulder as her party's general election campaign continues.

LIVE: @MaryLouMcDonald faces The Ivan Interview #GE2020 #VoiceOfTheVoter @IvanYatesNT | @sinnfeinireland https://t.co/FmOxZxChdd

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) January 21, 2020

In the lead-up to next month's vote, RTÉ and Virgin Media have announced head-to-head TV leaders' debates featuring the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

The situation has drawn criticism from Sinn Féin, who've argued that Ms McDonald should be taking part as the leader of the third largest party in the country.

Sinn Féin is taking legal advice on the debates - and the party leader earlier said she still expects to be invited to take part.

“I would wager if it was any other political party with 22 Dáil seats I don’t think we’d be having this debate because I would be included”

Mary Lou McDonald on exclusion from debates #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/xZ4XtShh0T

— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) January 21, 2020

Speaking to Ivan Yates this evening, Ms McDonald argued: "I would wager that if it was any other political party that had 22 Dáil seats, that was clearly [...] the third-largest party in this jurisdiction... I don't think we'd be having this debate, because automatically that person would be included.

"With the greatest of respect to everybody concerned, I think this is a deliberate ruse to hold the ring and limit the terms of the debate - and I think it's unacceptable in an open democracy that that's the case."

When asked about whether other party leaders should also be included, she argued: "I think every voice should be heard, but I'm the leader of Sinn Féin - so it's my first responsibility [...] to speak for the people who vote for us.

"I was surprised at the extent this was raised out and about on canvasses far and wide.

"People are actually angry at the arrogance of the political establishment - of Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin or anybody else - that they would decide who gets to be heard."

Crime

The Sinn Féin leader was also asked about her party's policies on crime.

She suggested there are "thugs" terrorising their communities who need to be taken off the street, and that a "drugs scourge" has swept through parts of the country.

She also said she was "shocked and disgusted by the sheer depravity" of the murder of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods.

Questioned specifically about emergency powers of detention, she said: "I accept that we need exceptional measures to deal with these thugs - I think we need to look at everything.

"I understand there has to be a balance in this thing - bear in mind when rights are taken away, they're taken away from anyone, not just the thugs."

Asked if she was saying no to internment, she responded: "I don't think that's on the cards at this point."

Ms McDonald added: "We have special courts, and yet we still have this depraved violence on our streets.

"My own assessment is that for so long as these small groups of people believe they are untouchable... well then they will carry on as if they are untouchable.

"The first port of call has to be to give An Garda Síochana the supports that they need."

'Not really a royal watcher'

Elsewhere in the interview, Ms McDonald was asked about her views on the current situation involving Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who've recently announced their intention to step back from their senior royal roles.

She responded: "As you're probably not surprised to hear, I'm not really a royal watcher.

"That said, I like Meghan - I liked her in [TV show] Suits. Any couple going about their lives, I wish them well with their new baby."