News in brief 4

Cllr. John Brady the new Sinn Féin candidate for Wicklow

New Sinn Féin candidate in Wicklow

Cllr John Brady has been chosen as Sinn Féin's Wicklow candidate for the next general election. The convention was also attended by Sinn Féin's Vice President Pat Doherty MP. Doherty spoke very highly of Brady and of Sinn Féin's advances in Wicklow over the past two years.

Laois school buildings protest

Members of Laois Sinn Féin recently picketed the Department of Education in Tullamore to highlight the lack of action on providing new school buildings in Laois.

Councillor Brian Stanley said: "The protest is being held to highlight the lack of progress on new school buildings. Portlaoise in particular is a black spot in this regard. Some children have spent all their primary school lives in prefabs with no recreational facilities. The location of some of our schools is also seriously contributing to town centre traffic congestion."

Hogan to stand in Longford/Westmeath

A packed selection convention held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone on Thursday 14 July saw Athlone Town Councillor Paul Hogan selected as the party's candidate to contest the next general election in Longford/ Westmeath. The meeting was attended by Sinn Féin Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald MEP and chaired by Leinster Cúige Chairperson Jacqui Russell.

Huntstown Phone Mast - New Threat

Blanchardstown Sinn Féin Councillor Felix Gallagher has expressed dismay that mobile phone company O2 have made a fresh planning application to erect a mast at the Huntstown shops, within metres of a primary school, crèche and community centre.

Gallagher said: "Only last week I was expressing my delight that a previous application had been ruled invalid and that this would be the end of the matter. Obviously O2 and the owners of Pinewood House in Huntstown are not aware of the changes to the Development Plan which prevents the erection of mobile phone mast near schools.