<sod >Â  Ms McDonald was formally electedÂ as leader Sinn Fein after Gerry Adams, who led the party for almost 35 years, stepped down.< eod>< sod > Â  Ms McDonald was formally electedÂ as leader of Sinn Fein after Gerry Adams, who led the party for almost 35 years, stepped down on Saturday.< eod>