'Behind you all the way' - support in Laois for'gentleman' and former Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley

Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley is getting support on social media as he reinvents himself as an independent republican constituency of Laois.

The former Sinn Féin poll-topper is getting active again on social media for the first time since he left the party after a disciplinary process which he claims was akin to a 'kangaroo court'.

Dep Stanley received a mostly positive response on updating his Facebook page with a new cover image declare himself and independent republican. 

Joe Byrne commented: "Good man Brian with your history of work in and for the people you should have no problem keeping your seat"

Declan Phelan posted: "Best of luck Brian".

Robyn Campbell also wished him well: "Great to see it wishing you the very best of luck Brian.

Michael Regan was the same: "Best of luck Brian".

Margaret Commins was of a similar view. "The very best of luck Brian."

Peter Roche was also encouraging: "Best of luck Brian....keep up the great work you have been doing over the years for people all over."

Other to wish him good luck were Anne Marie McEvoy Holohan, Kathleen Loughnane Iqbal and Kathleen Dunne.

Support was not unanimous.

Gabriel Gilmartin commented: "Waste of a vote".

Robbie Hayes was also less than impressed: "So-called independents are a waste of a vote because they are all divided. Teams are stronger".

Dympna McGarr posed a question: "What did he do that he had to resign".

PJ Mcnamara replied: "He didn't have to resign Dympna he resigned himself. He has been a great voice for the people of his constituency for many years and hopefully will carry on doing so for years to come. A vote for Brian is a vote for the people."

PJ Mcnamara added: "Behind you all the way Brian."

Dep Stanley has yet to declare if he will run in the General Election and has so far declined to respond to queries from the Leinster Express / Laois Live about his intentions.

He has however made an appearance among the public in Laois by attending a Laois County Council Laois Climate Action Festival Street Feast event in Portlaoise.

He posted a picture and comment about the event afterwards.

"Great to attend the O Moore Place “ Street Feast”. Excellent work being done by the allotment groups, local residents, Women’s Shed, and Laois Partnership. Well done to all involved," said Dep Stanley. 

There was also plenty of favourable support to his comment. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Mary Lou McDonald and Brian Stanley on a visit to Portlaoise when he was a Sinn Féin TD.

Mike Kelly replied: "Brian is a hard-working, straight-talking public representative and a gentleman".

Joe Cusack posted: "Stick in there Brian You're still 'The Man'".

Catherine Khan said: "Great to see you out among your people. Great work by everyone involved".

Dep Stanley has been a Laois TD since 2011 when he unseated Fianna Fáil man John Moloney. He topped the poll for Sinn Féin in the 2020 General Election.

Sinn Féin plan to run a candidate in Laois in 2024 with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael weighing up their options by running second candidates to unseat Dep Stanley.

Gardaí are still considering whether or not to pursue an investigation arising from a counter-complaint made by Dep Stanley after a Sinn Féin member lodged a complaint against him that culminated in his resignation.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said the woman was very traumatised by what had happened in October 2023.