Sinn Féin selects two candidates for Louth

Sinn Féin is to run two candidates in the general election in Louth, following a selection convention in Dundalk last night.

Sitting TD Ruairí Ó Murchú in Dundalk will be joined by Cllr. Joanna Byrne in Drogheda, who is replacing Deputy Imelda Munster who is retiring.

Sinn Féin members packed into the hall in Muirhevnamor, named after their late director of elections, Kevin Mulgrew, for the event, which was chaired by South Armagh-based councillor, Declan Murphy. All seven recently-elected Louth County Councillors for the party were in attendance.

Cllr Byrne was nominated by Fearghal Donnelly and seconded by Joanne Thompson from the Bobby Sands Cumann in Drogheda, while Deputy Ó Murchú was nominated by Cllr Kevin Meenan from Duffy Downey Cumann and seconded by Cllr Antóin Watters from the Campbell Donnelly Cumann.

In her acceptance speech, Cllr. Byrne said she was honoured to have received the nomination and while she has "big shoes to fill in the absence of Imelda Munster" she would "build on the work done before me, to stand up for those who need me and be that continued voice on a national scale for the families and our community that has been left behind by successive governments - who have turned a blind eye to this region over many decades when it comes to investment and services".

Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú said he was "humbled and honoured" to be nominated once more and said was building on the work that had been done by republicans in the county over many years.

He said it had been "the privilege of his life" to serve as a Sinn Féin TD for Louth and said he wanted to continue to work to represent all those who were being failed by government policies.