Ruane selected for South Down

Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane

Sinn Féin South Down MLA Caitríona Ruane has been selected as South Down candidate for the for the coming Westminster election. At the party's Westminster selection convention in Downpatrick, Ruane was selected unopposed.

Speaking at the convention, Councillor Willie Clarke MLA congratulated Caitríona on her nomination, believing it marks another historic landmark for Sinn Féin in County Down.

"We have put forward a candidate who I believe will give us a genuine opportunity to win this seat," he said. "South Down is clearly a key area of growth for Sinn Féin and we are fighting an election in what was once considered an SDLP stronghold. This is no longer the case and we are steadily building upon the foundation laid by people like Councillor Mick Murphy and Councillor Frank McDowell, who have helped pave the way for our current success. Make no mistake, with hard work and dedication this seat is within our accommodated within the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Féin has fought long and hard to reverse the injustices of partition. We were able to do so because the electorate has empowered us to do so. It is only now that the British and the unionists have started to take our community seriously.

"For the past 17 years, Eddie McGrady has held this seat, in what has often been described as the SDLP's 'jewel in the crown'. That jewel has last much of its sparkle and with continued dedication, hard work and commitment we can, in the centenary year of Sinn Féin's formation, win this year's Westminster election and significantly increase our representation at council level."