Women dominate SF’s election team

Sinn Féin’s has opted for a team of candidates made up mostly of women for next year’s local elections.

At their Election Convention in the Parish Centre, Portlaoise, Sinn Féin selected their candidate to contest the local elections in the new Portlaoise Municipal district next June.

At the same meeting two party members were also sent forward for co-option on to Laois County Council and Portlaoise Town Council.

Caroline Dwane, who has been a member of Portlaoise Town Council for the past 2 years, was selected to contest the Local Elections. SF say she has been working “a hard working community activist for many years”.

“If elected to Laois County Council I promise to continue with the same commitment and dedication to the people of Portlaoise, Ballinakill, Abbeyleix and Shanahoe as I provided on the Town Council for the past two years,” she said.

Ms Dwane was sent forward for co-option to the county council. Clare Spollen, a SF member for seven years, was sent forward for co-option on to Portlaoise Town Council. The council and town council seats were vacated by Alan Hand.

At the convention in Mountrath for the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick area, Rhoda Dooley Brogan was selected as the Sinn Féin candidate.

Ms Brogan from Borris-in-Ossory, has been a member of the local cumann for the past 5 years and has been involved in several campaigns throughout Laois. Rhoda is an active member of the Glenall Residents group, defibrillator, parents council and the children’s playground committee.

The convention for the new Graiguecullen /Portarlington area was held in Ballylinan where Aidan Mullins was the selected candidate. The Port native has been a community volunteer and activist for over 20 years and is a founding member of the Port Community Development Association.

Laois Sinn Féin TD, Brian Stanley, said the candidates have “successful track records as community activists”.