Sinn Fein and The Green Party recently held events to launch their candidates that will contest the Local Elections in Laois in 2024.
As reported by LaoisToday last week, Sinn Fein have confirmed that they will run their largest ever team in the county.
Laois Sinn Féin held their convention in Portlaoise Leisure Centre for the upcoming 2024 elections last Tuesday, December 5.
The party will run candidates in all three of the Laois Local Election Areas with seven candidates having successfully gone through the Convention stage of the process.
The Graiguecullen/Portarlington LEA will see Graiguecullen man Aaron Kelly, a first-time candidate, running alongside the sitting Portarlington Cllr Aidan Mullins as the two confirmed Sinn Féin candidates in that region.
Two candidates have also been selected to run in the Portlaoise LEA where Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley will contend for her seat alongside first-time candidate, Maria McCormack, as her running partner.
The Borris-in-Ossary/Mountmellick LEA will see Clonaslee native Lorna Garry running again in a bid to secure a first-time seat in the region alongside new candidates Helen Campion from Rathdowney and Julie Maguire from Mountrath.
The party have confirmed that they will also be adding further names to the ticket in the months ahead in a bid to make significant gains when the country goes to the polls next June.
Director of Elections, Mr Andrew Kelly, said: “Everyone knows that we need political change right across the country and that change starts locally.
“The Laois Sinn Féin team will run a record number of strong candidates in the upcoming local elections and our candidates look forward to representing our community and being part of a bigger and stronger team of Sinn Féin councillors that will ensure our council delivers on the issues that matter to people locally.”
Meanwhile, The Green Party have confirmed that Rosie Palmer will contest for a seat in the Portlaoise Municipal Area next year.
It is a historic announcement for the party who have never had a Local Election candidate in Laois before.
Preston House in Abbeyleix was the venue for the launch as Ms Palmer, a native of Ballinakill, confirmed her campaign in the town where she lives.
The event was attended by Ministers Pippa Hackett and Malcolm Noonan, Party members as well as members of local community groups, local business owners, and family and friends.
Speaking at the event, Minister Hackett, said: “Rosie has the experience and knowledge to hit the ground running when she is elected as a Councillor.
“Rosie is my Parliamentary Assistant; not only is she already working in the field, but she has been an active volunteer in her community for several years, so she knows what the community wants to see delivered locally.
“She is enthusiastic and collaborative and understands the need for hard work, conversation and compromise.”
Minister Noonan, who has responsibility for Nature, Biodiversity and Election Reform travelled from Kilkenny for the event, noted that Abbeyleix was a fitting location for the launch.
He said: “As a heritage town with much to offer in the way of community spirit, nature, biodiversity and built heritage, it is fitting that Rosie should be launching her Campaign in the stunning Preston House in Abbeyleix.
“In 2024, the Green Party will run over 150 candidates in the Local Election. We need to populate every local authority in Ireland with Green councillors, because they can make a significant difference at a local level and I know that Rosie do exceptional work for her area.”
Rosie spoke about her vision of healthy futures with clean air, inclusive health care and safe public spaces for all and for hearty communities, with accessible amenities and vibrant spaces for people to live, work, rest and play.
She also committed to tackling vacancy and dereliction, bringing more homes into use.
She said: “I want to be a Councillor in the community, for the community” she said, inviting attendees to share their visions for a Green Councillor.
“My priorities are your priorities, from the smaller ones, right up to getting a Greenway in Laois.
“As one of the last remaining counties not to draw down Greenway funding, this is certainly one issue I am committed to working to change.”
The seven confirmed candidates that Sinn Féin are set to run on this occasion compares to four in 2019 and 2014, five in 2009, two in 2004 and one in 1999.
By comparison, Fine Gael have just seven confirmed candidates to run in next year’s elections in Laois. Fianna Fáil at the moment have ten.
Next year’s Local Elections take place in early June.
SEE ALSO – Check out all our 2024 Local Election coverage here
