Sinn Féin Selects Two Candidates for Louth in Upcoming General Election
Sinn Féin has officially chosen two candidates to represent County Louth in the upcoming general election, following a selection convention held last night in Dundalk. The event, which took place at Muirhevnamor, a venue named in honor of the late Sinn Féin director of elections Kevin Mulgrew, saw a packed hall of party members and supporters.
Sitting TD Ruairí Ó Murchú, representing Dundalk, will be joined on the ticket by Cllr. Joanna Byrne from Drogheda. Cllr. Byrne is set to replace Deputy Imelda Munster, who has announced her retirement from politics.
The selection convention was chaired by South Armagh-based councillor Declan Murphy, with all seven of Sinn Féin’s recently-elected Louth County Councillors in attendance.
Cllr. Joanna Byrne’s nomination was put forward by Fearghal Donnelly and seconded by Joanne Thompson from the Bobby Sands Cumann in Drogheda. In her acceptance speech, Byrne expressed her gratitude for the nomination, acknowledging the significant responsibility she will inherit in the absence of Deputy Imelda Munster. “I have big shoes to fill,” she stated, “but I am committed to building on the work done before me. I will stand up for those who need me and be a continued voice on a national scale for the families and our community that have been left behind by successive governments—governments that have turned a blind eye to this region for decades when it comes to investment and services.”
Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú, who was nominated by Cllr Kevin Meenan from the Duffy Downey Cumann and seconded by Cllr Antóin Watters from the Campbell Donnelly Cumann, also expressed his appreciation for the nomination. He described his time as a Sinn Féin TD for Louth as “the privilege of his life” and emphasized his desire to continue representing those who feel let down by current government policies. “I am humbled and honored to be nominated once more,” he said, “and I am dedicated to building on the work that republicans in this county have done over many years.”
The selection of both Ó Murchú and Byrne marks a significant moment for Sinn Féin in Louth as they prepare for the upcoming general election, with a focus on continuing their advocacy for the community and challenging the status quo.