Peadar Tóibín is not suprised by the number of people joining his new party

Aontú, the all-Ireland political party set up by Peadar Tóibín, hopes to run 50 candidates in the local elections in May north and south of the border.

Mr Tóibín confirmed the name of the new party, which means unity and consent, in Belfast on Monday.

The former Sinn Féin TD said that he decided to announce the name there as it was “the birth place of the United Irishmen who fought for a free, independent and pluralist Ireland for Catholic, Protestant and dissenter”.

Mr Tóibín quit Sinn Féin over its abortion stance last November having been suspended for voting against the legislation to allow for abortions. He has been travelling the country to build support for Aontú. The party is anti-abortion and will push for