No going back now for Aontú woman in Laois General Election race

Graiguecullen woman Mary Hand crossed the threshold of Portlaoise Courthouse this week to sign on the bottom line as a candidate in the General Election.

Ms Hand, who is contesting her first election of any type, is also the first every Aontú candidate to attempt to represent Laois voters in the Dáil.

The teacher at Heywood College secondary school near Ballinakill signed on in the presence of Laois returning officer Rory Hanniffy.

Education is one of the priorities for Ms Hand in a crowded field of ten candidates competing for just three seats.

A late entrant to the race just as the General Election was called, Ms Hand is a school trade union representative for the ASTI in Heywood.