South Down campaign launched in Newcastle

At a packed meeting in the Shimna Suite of the Slieve Donard Hotel on Wednesday night, 6 April, Sinn Féin formally launched its Westminster campaign in South Down. To a standing ovation, Caitríona Ruane MLA, the party's Westminster candidate, was joined on stage by 15 council candidates standing for Down District, Newry and Mourne and Banbridge District Councils in May's local government elections.

The meeting was chaired by acclaimed author and playwright Danny Morrison and the special guest speaker on the night was the President of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams MP.

Speaking after the event, Ruane said: "These types of meetings allow our critics to assess our strength and support. After tonight, it is with good reason that Sinn Féin is confident it can demonstrate its phenomenal growth in South Down from a party that was once censored and demonised to a party that is demonised but still goes from strength to strength, unbowed, unintimidated and unrivalled."