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18 June 2009 Edition

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Navan gets first Sinn Féin Mayor in 80 years

Last Monday night, at Navan Town Council a majority of councillors elected Joe Reilly as Navan’s first Sinn Féin Mayor in over 80 years. Sinn Féin, Labour and independents came together and implemented their mandate for change which saw Fianna Fáil moved from the positions of power on the council for the first time in a generation.
Cllr Joe Reilly was nominated by party colleague Cllr Peadar Tóibín who stated:
‘It is an honour for me to nominate Joe Reilly as Mayor of Navan. I do so for three reasons; Firstly because of the calibre of the man. Putting it simply, few political activists in Meath  have worked as hard as Joe Reilly over the last number of decades. Joe has been a republican activist for 40 years. He has fearlessly and energetically represented the people of Navan on this council for over 15 years. He has consistently given a voice to those who are disadvantaged and marginalised within our town. Joe was the first person I voted for when I became 18 and I am not alone in noticing that he has brought a level headed, honest and strategic approach to the development of the town, often fighting for just causes against populist opposition. During this time we have seen his vote increase from 80 votes in his first election to 6,500 in a recent general election.
Secondly it’s a great day for Sinn Féin in Navan, Joe will be the first Sinn Féin Mayor of Navan in over 80 years. This nomination is a testament to the growth of Sinn Féin over the recent years. Sinn Féin is now jointly the biggest party on Navan Town Council.
Finally I am nominating Joe tonight in an effort to ensure that proper leadership is provided to this town in the coming year. Over the last 10 years of a Fianna Fáil government and council, Navan has seen its fortunes slide. Navan has suffered among the highest increases in unemployment in the country. We have received the lowest investment in jobs from state development agencies and Meath is the last county in Leinster to achieve a motorway or a rail line. The people of Navan voted for change. The new group made up of Sinn Féin, Labour and independents is that change. We will fight for jobs, the economic and infrastructural development of Navan and we will demand that proper housing standards are provided for all.
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