Local Elections 2004

WEST CORK SINN FÉIN TEAM

Sinn Féin currently hold two Town Council seats in West Cork (Bantry and Clonakilty). June 2004 will be the first time since the 1920's that people throughout the entire Cork South West Constituency will have the opportunity to vote for Sinn Féin candidates in the local elections.

West Cork Sinn Féin held their local election conventions on Saturday 1st November 2003, and selected from left: John Desmond to contest the Bandon Town and County Council Area, Cllr. Anne O' Leary, Bantry Town and County Council Area, Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Clonakilty Town Council and Skibbereen County Council Area, and Paul Hayes, Clonakilty Town Council.  (Photo: P. Boyle, Bandon)

Clonakilty Sinn Féin Candidates

Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Clonakilty Town Council and Skibbereen County Council Area, and Paul Hayes, Clonakilty Town Council. 

Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin (Clonakilty T.C. and Skibbereen Area County Council) was first elected to Clonakilty Town Council in 1994, and topped the poll in the 1999 elections. That year he also contested the County Council election and polled well, and was also a Sinn Féin candidate in the 2002 General election. Known as a hard-working public representative in Clonakilty, he is an active member of numerous local and national organisations including the Post Office Action Committee (Asst. Sec.), Special Olympics (P.R.O.), Fairtrade Committee (P.R.O.), Clonakilty Access Group, Clonakilty Singing Club, Easter Commemoration Committee, Independent Workers’ Union, Carbery Housing Association, Glór na nGael and the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (P.A.N.A.) to name a few. He is a delegate to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland (A.M.A.I.) from Clonakilty Town Council, as well as serving on the Car Free Day sub-committee. Since being elected in 1994, he has raised many issues within the Council Chamber and instigated public campaigns for the provision of the Playground and Bus Shelter and raised the alarm confirming An Post’s plans to re-designate Clonakilty Post Office. He also got involved in the campaign to retain the Clóna Dairy Plant in the town and supported the establishment of the now thriving weekly Farmers Market. A member of Sinn Féin since 1989, he holds a number of positions in the party up to Provincial level including Treasurer and P.R.O. of Clonakilty Cumann, Secretary of the West Cork Comhairle Cheanntair and Councillors Representative on the Munster Cúige Officerboard.

Paul Hayes (Clonakilty T.C.) at 26 is the youngest Sinn Féin candidate selected in West Cork and like his running mate for Clonakilty Town Council is a native of the town. A member of Clonakilty Sinn Féin since the age of 19, he is the youngest member of the Cumann, has held a number of officerships and is the current Cathaoirleach. He was also recently elected as the P.R.O. of the West Cork Comhairle Cheanntair. As a teenager he played both hurling and football for Clonakilty at underage level, and was a member of the former Clonakilty Rowing Club for several years. He was also involved in the youth organisation Foróige. Presently he is a member of the Fernhill Pitch and Putt Club and also, Courtmacsherry Rowing Club with whom he rowed in this years All Ireland. Paul was also involved in the Clonakilty Against the War group, opposing the Iraq War and Ireland’s collusion in it through the use of Shannon Airport by U.S. military aircraft and personnel, and attended most of the major national and local demonstrations during 2003.

   Kerry North Sinn Féin T.D. Martin Ferris (second from right) delivered an inspiring and passionate oration at last Sunday's annual Kilmichael Ambush Commemoration in West Cork which was also attended by Sinn Féin local election candidates from left: Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Clonakilty (Candidate for Clonakilty Town Council and Cork County Council - Skibbereen Electoral Area), Cllr. Anne O' Leary, Bantry, (Bantry Town and County Council Area candidate) and John Desmond, (Bandon Town and County Council Area candidate). (Photo: Boyle, Bandon)
 

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"Everyone has a part to play, no part is too great or too small"

Bobby Sands, M.P. who died on Hunger Strike in Long Kesh on 5th May 1981.

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