Sinn Fein has selected a third candidate to run for the party in the Portlaoise Area at the Local Elections in June.
Jason Phelan, who is from Abbeyleix, will be the third name on the list for the party later this year.
Back in December, the party selected sitting Councilor Caroline Dwane-Stanley to run in Portlaoise alongside newcomer Maria McCormack.
Mr Phelan comes from Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, where he was born, and lives with sons Cathal (13) and Setanta (8).
Jason is a widower of two years following the sad passing of his wife Roxy to cervical cancer in 2022.
A qualified carpenter/joiner with 28 years experience, Jason says he has put himself forward for Sinn Féin as he wants ‘to strengthen the Party team on Laois County Council and provide representation for the Abbeyleix, Ballyroan, Ballinakill and Raheen areas’.
Mr Phelan said: “I am delighted to be selected by Sinn Féin members to contest the election in early June.
“I want to be part of a hard working team of Sinn Féin Councillors and look forward to working with Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Maria McCormack.
“I live in Rathmoyle Abbeyleix, where I was born, with our sons Cathal (13) and Setanta (8).
“As a widower of two years, I juggle parenting and work life and try to maintain the balance.
“In 2022 I sadly lost my wife Roxy to cervical cancer, having cared for her full-time.
“I am qualified carpenter/joiner with 28 years experience.
“When Abbeyleix Hospital was at risk of closure, I supported the campaign to retain it to provide much needed services and employment in the area.
“Over the past two years, I have been active in providing support to those people affected by bereavement. I am also a member of Rathmoyle Residents Association.
“The difficulties people are having trying to secure an affordable home to buy or rent, along with shortcomings in our health services needs to be addressed.
“We must also improve infrastructure and services such as roads and broadband in rural areas.”
Mr Phelan also set out his priorities if elected as follows:
“Affordable homes to buy scheme and social housing; Improving services at Abbeyleix Health Centre and Hospital; Expansion of Local Public Transport Service; Ensuring local roads are well maintained; Environmental protection, waste reduction/recycling and protecting our natural habitats; and Disabled access in all public areas and buildings.”
Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley welcomed Jason’s addition as a candidate in the District.
He said: “Jason has the potential to be an effective Councillor and if elected he is ideally located in the southern part of the Portlaoise/Abbeyleix District.
“Working alongside Maria McCormack and Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley, they will make a formidable team.
“We want to increase political strength at local level and elect more Councillors.”
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