The Sinn Féin leader says posters of her, with the word 'traitor' written across them, which have been displayed at anti-immigration protests, are being instigated by Northern loyalists.
Mary Lou McDonald said such images were upsetting for her children - but added they know their mother is "a tough nut" who can deal with it.
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She said it's recently emerged who some anti-immigration protestors have been associating with.
Ms McDonald said: "It's now come to light... many months, a year and more later, that the ones pushing this message around me and around Sinn Féin, are up on the Oranmore Road in Belfast with the UDA [Ulster Defence Association]... loyalist groups."