BREAKING: 18-year-old youth activist from Newbridge, County Kildare, to run in 2024 local elections

James Stokes, an 18-year-old Sinn Féin (SF) youth activist has announced that he will be running in the 2024 local elections.

Last week, the Leinster Leader interviewed James about his work, as well as his school life, hopes for college, and his background as a member of the Irish Travelling Community.

Now, James has said that he was selected last night to run as a SF candidate in the 2024 local elections: specifically, in the Newbridge Local Electoral Area. 

Commenting on the news, James said on his official X (formerly Twitter) account: "I am not the 'typical candidate,' I am a young Traveller, but that's what makes this election even more important, as young people and Travellers have been left out of the decision process for too long."

"The time for change is now," he added, along with the hashtag #Stokes2024.

He also said on his official TikTok account: "Make the change for a better Kildare."