Sinn Féin are aiming to double their representation on Laois County Council by putting forward four candidates for a seat in the local electionson Friday, May 24.
Those in attendance at Thursday’s party launch included MEP Liadh Ní Riada, Laois TD Brian Stanley, sitting councillors Caroline Dwane Stanley and Aidan Mullins and candidates Lorna Holohan Garry and John Gormley.
Sinn Féin have said they want double its representation on Laois County Council (LCC) from two to four councillors and ensure that Liadh Ní Riada is re-elected as an MEP to the European Parliament.
“We are making a determined effort to strengthen our team on LCC by getting 2 new councillors elected to join Cllrs Aidan Mullins and Caroline Dwane Stanley. Both Aidan and Caroline are diligent and effective fulltime councillors,” said Deputy Stanley.
Both cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and John Gormley are running in the Portlaoise municipal district area.
Portlaoise native Dwane Stanley stressed that the two most important issues during her time in office have been housing and the retention and upgrading of Portlaoise hospital.
Gormley, who has been canvassing the rural Portlaoise area, particularly around Abbeyleix, says the feedback on the doors he is receiving is about rural broadband, a lack of Garda presence in rural areas and no information about Abbeyleix hospital.
Cllr Aidan Mullins echoed Gormley’s statement about a lack of Garda presence in Portarlington, part of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington municipal district which he serves.
Cllr Mullins also stated that housing is another huge issue in th Port area.
Lorna Holohan Garry is making a determined effort to get elected in the Mountmellick/Borris in Ossory District and is the only woman running in the municipal district.
Brian Stanley TD said: “Doubling the number of Sinn Féin councillors to 4 would give us a stronger voice on the Council and enable us to have all parts of the county represented.
“Our existing two councillors work very closely with me, and we are determined to build further on our constituency and campaigning work.”
With the redrawing of the boundaries for the EU elections and the inclusion of Laois in the ‘Ireland South’ constituency, Liadh Ní Riada is the Sinn Féin candidate.
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