Sinn Féin expands Laois ranks with General Election candidate from Portlaoise

Sinn Féin appears to be acting to build a new structure in Portlaoise by recruiting a local man who contested the General Election in Portlaoise.

After a raft of resignations in 2024 sparked by the Brian Stanely controversy and departure, it's emerged that Jason Lynch has joined the party.

Mr Lynch, who ran has an independent in the 2024 poll, shared what he said was "exciting news" after his "challenging" bid to represent Laois in the Dáil following his last-minute entry to the race.

"I was proud of my efforts and as I said at the time it was just the beginning of my journey into politics. I have been interested for some time in joining Sinn Féin at a local level.

"Unfortunately the opportunity was not there in the past, now I am proud to say that I am part of the Portlaoise Cumann as it now goes in a new direction, the first meeting of the new Portlaoise Cumann had a great turn out and the appetite to make our community, county and country better is very much there," he said.

Mr Lynch, who is a paramedic, is looking forward to working with the Sinn Féin's Laois Senator who also contested the General Election.

"This is now a very exciting time for Sinn Féin Laois as Maria McCormack - Sinn Féin represents both the party and the people of Laois as a Senator in the Seanad. Again I thank everyone who supported me in my previous campaign, all your support going forward will be very much appreciated," he said.

Sinn Féin suffered significant political damage in Laois in 2024. Brian Stanley's departure was followed by the resignations of several members of the party in Portlaoise and elsewhere.

The party lost its Laois representation in the Dáil after Dep Stanley was elected as an independent in the General Election. His wife and Portlaoise councillor, Caroline Dwane Stanley left the party before the year was out.

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Portarlington-based Cllr Aidan Mullins also left the party in August 2024 following a disciplinary process.

The party recovered some lost ground at the start of 2024 with the election of Ms McCormack to the Seanad at her first attempt.