Former Sinn Féín members Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Brian Stanley TD have announced the launch of a new political group in Laois.

Since their shock party exits, the pair have described themselves as 'Independent Republicans', and have founded a new political group; 'Independent Republicans Laois', which now has over fifty members.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, Cllr Dwane Stanley has not ruled out registering the group as a new political party.

Pictured: Independent Republican Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley

"We have been using the name Independent Republicans Laois since our Easter Commemoration, we formed after the General Election in 2024," Cllr Dwane Stanley explained.

"We marched as a group in the recent Palestinian march in Portlaoise, and we are starting to get some funds in to support the group," she said.

"We won't rule out registering as a political party, but we are comfortable as a political group. We want to keep the momentum going. When Brian left, so many people came out to support him, and they have all stuck with us. Most are former members of Sinn Féin," Cllr Dwane Stanley claimed.

"We have been on the campaign trail since 1994, and we are still here. We are a political group of republicans in Laois."

Independent Republicans Laois have organised a 10km sponsored bog walk this September 13, aiming to generate funds for the group.

Pictured: A poster for the fundraiser bog walk this September 13.

"We have come together as a political group, not a party, with an ethos to campaign on key services for Laois such as affordably housing, cost rental schemes for working class and middle class people in Laois, who pay for everything and get nothing," Cllr Dwane Stanley explained.

When asked of the group's long-term intentions, Cllr Dwane Stanley highlighted the key issues that the group will be fighting for.

"I have raised these issues on numerous occasions in the Council, that anyone earning over €35k is not eligible for housing," she said.

"It is something I have championed for a long time. We would like to see a primary care centre for Portlaoise, with extra places in local schools. We are fighting for extra services for those with disabilities, and to protect our elderly in nursing homes.

"Nationally, the issue of neutrality is a huge concern for us. and we will be taking an active part in any campaign around it," she said.

Pictured: Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Brian Stanley TD upon his 2024 reelection.

"Irish unity is our keystone, and we are focused on the upcoming presidential elections. It is a priority for republicans in the north to have the right to vote for the president," she said.

"So we will be holding our first bog walk as a new group, and we would hope to make it a yearly event. It is a 10km walk on the boglands in Abbeyleix, and we hope to raise funds for our group," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

"We have new people in our group too, they have been a breath of fresh air. We have people around us that we can trust, hard working and decent people that are well known in the community, that are committed republicans. We don't have to be in any party to be republicans, and we are all trying to spread our message," she said.

"We were campaigning out in the general election to ensure that a strong left republican TD would hold his seat in County Laois. His platform through the years have been the same policies, and we wish to get funds in to take an active role in campaigning for our key issues.  Group members are excited to get out our message," she said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley stated that there is a huge amount of women involved in the group.

"We have plenty of men too, but it's brilliant that the majority of members are female," Cllr Dwane Stanley finished.

Independent Republicans Laois Bog Walk Fundraiser will take place on Saturday September 13 at 1pm.

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