Sinn Fein has selected three of their four candidates to contest the elections next May to Laois County Council.
TD Brian Stanley confirmed the news this morning and says the party hopes to double its representation in Laois next year.
He said: “That the party is putting forward a strong team of experienced activists to secure the maximum number of seats on LCC.
“We currently have two councillors in the county, Aidan Mullins and Caroline Dwane Stanley. It is our aim to try and double this to four and to have the best team possible elected in Laois.
“In 2014 we narrowly missed taking a seat in the Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory District, Lorna Holohan Garry will contest this area. We will be making every effort to have her elected.
“We have two candidates in the Portlaoise/Abbeyleix District, with John Gormley put forward with Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and we will be aiming to take a second seat.”
Mr Stanley confirmed that the selection process for the Portarlington/Graiguecullen District will happen early next year where Cllr Aidan Mullins will be seeking the nomination for the district.
Lorna Holohan Garry lives in Clodiagh Way, Clonaslee and works part time in the security sector.
She is married to Keith and has three children – Conor (18), Dillon (15) and Sinèad 12.
Lorna is a member of a well established family in Mountmellick, where she lived until moving to Rosenallis ten years ago. Lorna and Keith settled in Clonaslee in 2015.
Lorna played an active role in the campaign to abolish water charges. She is currently a member of Mountmellick Flood Action Group, Chairperson of Clodiagh Way Residents Association, and a member of the William Brock Sinn Féin Cumann Mountmellick. Lorna is active in community affairs and she has worked closely with Brian Stanley TD on a range of constituency issues.
John Gormley lives in Ballytarsna, Abbeyleix and has four children. An active Sinn Féin member and lifelong campaigner, John gained valuable experience representing people as a shop steward for 15 years with the Unite Trade Union at the Department of Defence.
He has also been involved in housing and water charges campaigns. A committed member of Community Alert, John wants the expansion of this and Neighbourhood Watch, plus more community policing.
Caroline Dwane Stanley is a full-time public representative and is married to Brian Stanley TD. She has been an active republican and campaigner for 20 years. In 2016, Caroline was appointed a Peace Commissioner by the Minister for Justice.
Caroline played an active role in several campaigns, such as water charges, improved rail services and retention of services at Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and Shaen Hospitals.
Caroline is a member of Laois County Council LCC, Laois Joint Policing Committee, Laois/Offaly Education & Training Board, Boards of Management of Portlaoise College and Colaiste Dún Masc, LCC Housing Policy Committee and Portlaoise Cemetery Committee.
