'Nasty right wing element got their answer' - Laois Sinn Féin councillor

Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley got elected in the early hours of Sunday morning, after receiving 1,415 number 1 votes in the seven seat Portlaoise Municipal District.

She believes it was her 13 year record of local service that swung the votes in her favour, despite a nationwide fall in votes for Sinn Féin in the 2024 Local Election.

“That was the highest vote I've ever received, I am delighted with it, given that the competition was so strong with 20 candidates. Some were very good as well. Those of us who are lucky enough to be able to talk about our track record on the doorsteps, that stood to us,” she said.

She reflects on the public reaction in the campaign.

“We got a great reception on doorsteps, no abuse whatsoever. Housing was the big one, local issues like roads and paths, and school places.

“Immigration came up a bit but I found when you explain to people that the system is broken, they understood. It can take up to seven years for a person to be processed and go through an appeal. They are sent a letter and told they are not successful, and told to go of the own free will, no-one confirms if they have left the country.

“We say that checks need to be done quickly. Let people who are approved work and make a contribution to society. I went to England at 17 and worked there for years, people have no issue with that.

"It's an influx coming with no houses, staying in homeless shelters, when a generation here are living in their parents' boxrooms into their 40s because they can't afford to buy a home.

"We have to be compassionate when people are escaping war. Irish people travelled all over the world.

“I am absolutely delighted that the nasty right wing element that abused people and even assaulted candidates, though not in Laois, were not elected. They got their answer. People didn't vote for that,” she said.

Herself and Cllr Aidan Mullins in Portarlington were the only ones of seven Laois Sinn Féin candidates to get elected

“It is very hard for breakthrough candidates. I thought Maria McCormack would go over her quota, she really put herself out there, but I have no doubt that having more candidates takes the vote away.

“I still feel the strategy of running three SF in Portlaoise was correct. Five years ago the party lost half its councillor seats because they didn't run enough,” she said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley believes that in local politics, people vote for the person rather than the party.

“People know you, they say they read about you, that helped. A new candidate has to get known. We can't all be poll toppers,” she said.

Of the long time taken to count in Laois, Cllr Dwane Stanley has no issue.

“It was drawn out but everybody thinks we were last, we weren't. Staff have to be so careful. Take Vivienne Phelan and PJ Kelly's votes, they were only two apart at one stage. There is no room for error.

“The important thing is they were very diligent and took their time. It's hard on them too. I want to thank the catering staff, the food was fantastic, the council staff, and the media. I was elected at 1.15am, I couldn't believe the media were still there,” she said.

For the coming term, Cllr Dwane Stanley lists the issues that are top of her agenda.

“As always, roads, drains, and housing. We need to push on the Affordable Housing scheme, and cost rental scheme. The affordable scheme is simply not affordable, that has to be addressed.

“A primary care medical centre for Portlaoise and a multi-purpose sports complex. And more school places,” she said.