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12 March 2015

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Mickey Brady – 'The People's Champion' – for MP, Newry & Armagh

• MLA Megan Fearon, Gerry Adams TD, Mickey Brady MLA, Conor Murphy MP, Michelle Gildernew MP and Cathal Boylan MLA

IT'S A CLICHÉ, I know, but the atmosphere in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, on Monday evening really was electric.

Republicans from Counties Down and Armagh, and further afield, turned up in their hundreds for the official launch of Mickey Brady's election campaign that sees him on the road to retaining the Newry & Armagh Westminster seat for Sinn Féin.

Replacing Conor Murphy MP who, according to speculation, will return the Stormont fray, Brady clearly is the man for the job.

Described as 'The People's Champion' on a poster pinned to the podium speakers from the body of the hall, when outlining the work Brady has carried out on behalf of the people of the constituency, highlighted his commitment to improving the lives of those who came to him for assistance.

With a lifetime of experience in social welfare, Brady earned the reputation as the 'go to' person in the field of welfare and dealing with state bodies.

“When it comes to advice on welfare issues, if Mickey Brady doesn't know it then it's not worth knowing,” said former Councillor Pat McGinn in his role as Fear a' Tí.

One of those who spoke from the floor, Limerick Councillor Michael McCreesh, a brother of IRA Volunteer Raymond McCreesh, focused on Mickey Brady's support for his family over the years, especially his defence of the people of Ballybot and their decision to name their play park in honour of the H-Blocks Hunger Striker.

Another of those to take the mic was Gráinne Campbell, whose husband Brian, a former POW and Editor of An Phoblacht, died suddenly ten years ago.

She lauded Mickey Brady for his friendship and help down through the years

It was especially moving to see Brady's 106-year-old mother Sally in the crowd. She was and is obviously proud of her son.

Referring to her during his address, party president Gerry Adams described Mrs Brady as a witness to history “having been born in a united Ireland” – he hoped she would seen the country reunited.

While warning his audience of activists and experienced campaigners against complacency in the May elections, Adams also pointed out that Brady's election would be historical as he would be the first Newry man elected to the Westminster parliament.

Speaking to An Phoblacht TV, Mickey Brady reasserted the need for hard work to ensure victory on 7 May and also paid tribute to the Hunger Strikers, especially Bobby Sands who would have been 61 on that day, 9 March:

“We are standing on the shoulders of giants. If it wasn't for the sacrifice of the Hungers Strikers we wouldn't be where we are today.”

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