Ambitious local election challenge in Cavan/Monaghan
By Mícheál MacDonncha
Sinn Féin is making its most ambitious challenge ever for seats on
local authorities throughout the 26 Counties this year. There are no
less than 28 candidates standing in Counties Cavan and Monaghan
alone. Announcing the panel of candidates, Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O
Caoláin said that they aimed to ``greatly increase the strength in
numbers and talent of what is already the most effective team of
elected representatives in this constituency''.
The Cavan/Monaghan TD said that his election as a Sinn Féin Deputy in
1997 demonstrated the long work record and political support of the
party in Counties Cavan and Monaghan. The historic electoral
performance on that occasion would be reflected with more successful
Sinn Féin candidates in 1999.
Sinn Féin goes into the contest holding ten seats - two on Monaghan
County Council and eight on the municipal authorities. With 20
candidates, the party is aiming to double its representation. Seven
candidates are challenging for seats on Monaghan County Council and
13 on the elected town bodies - each of which has multiple
candidates.
In County Cavan, Sinn Féin is aiming to redress its current lack of
local authority representation and reflect in new council seats the
widespread support that ensured O Caoláin's election as TD. The party
is putting forward eight candidates - four for the County Council and
four for the municipal authorities.
Brian McKenna and Caoimhghín O Caoláin TD are sitting Monaghan County
Councillors and will be joined on the panel of candidates for County
Council seats in the Monaghan Electoral Area - which covers the North
of the County - by Brenda McAnespie, a new candidate and member of
Monaghan Ladies' Football team.
In Clones Electoral Area, the County Council candidates are Brian
MacUaid and Sheila McKenna, both first-time runners for Sinn Féin,
reflecting the new talent coming forward.
Jackie Crowe, a sitting member of Castleblayney UDC, is standing in
the Castleblayney Electoral area for the County Council.
Carrickmacross Electoral Area has Noel Keelan as the standard-bearer
for Sinn Féin in the County Council contest.
Stressing the importance of the County Council contests in both Cavan
and Monaghan Caoimghín O Caoláin cited some of the main issues:
``An increased Sinn Féin presence is vital if the needs of the people
are to be effectively met at this level. We must address:
- Employment creation in the border counties and a fair share of the
current economic prosperity.
- Support for the most hard-pressed of our farming community.
- The upgrading of our infrastructure, especially our roads.
- Protection of the environment and consultation with the community
on potentially hazardous developments such as mobile phone masts.''
Currently holding three seats on Monaghan UDC, Sinn Féin aims to
increase that representation to five. Sitting Councillors Owen Smyth
and Pádraigín Uí Mhurchadha are joined by Seán Conlon, Pauline Martin
and Gerry Loughran. TD and County Councillor Caoimhghín O Caoláin,
who is also a sitting UDC member, is not a candidate for the UDC
this time.
Candidates for Clones Urban District Council are UDC Chairperson
Peter McAleer and Councillors Pat Treanor and Debbie Moore. These
three sitting councillors are seeking re-election and are set to
bring their considerable experience back to the council.
Gene Duffy is the sitting Sinn Féin member of Ballybay Town
Commissioners. He is joined on the party ticket by Barry Cunningham.
In the town of Castleblayney, Jackie Crowe holds the Sinn Féin seat
on the UDC. Jackie is again going forward and his running mate is
James Cunningham. Carrickmacross UDC is the only local authority in
County Monaghan on which Sinn Féin is not yet represented. The
party's youngest candidate, Ogra Shinn Féin National Organiser Matt
Carthy (21), is standing here with Frances McBride.
Commenting on the party's challenge in the urban centres, Monaghan
UDC member Padraigín Uí Mhurchadha told the Northern Standard:
``The housing issue will be especially important in this election.
There is increasing pressure on local authorities to provide homes,
but the funding is not forthcoming from central government. This must
change. The provision of new homes and improving the economic and
environmental fabric of our towns are key priorities for our team of
candidates.''
Four Sinn Féin candidates are contesting the election to Cavan County
Council. In the Cavan Electoral Area, former Sinn Féin County
Councillor Charlie Boylan, who served on Cavan County Council between
1974 and 1985, is bringing his experience to the campaign and
hopefully back onto the council.
In the Bailieborough Electoral Area, Paddy McDonald is the Sinn Féin
candidate. Pauline Tully goes forward in the Ballyjamesduff Electoral
Area and in the west of the County, Peadar Neary is standing in the
Belturbet Electoral Area. Four Sinn Féin candidates are contesting
the elections in the three towns in County Cavan with elected
authorities - Cavan town, Cootehill and Belturbet. They are as
follows:
- Cavan Urban District Council - Brian McKeown
- Cootehill Town Commissioners - John Martin and Harry McCabe
- Belturbet Town Commissioners - Benny Henry.
Cavan County Council candidate Pauline Tully said that undoubtedly
the ``big issue'' in the local elections would be the continuing
deplorable state of so many of the non-national roads. She said that
this year's 13% increase in central government allocation for Cavan's
roads was due in no small measure to the work of Sinn Féin, through
its TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin, campaigning alongside the community in
County Cavan.
She said:''While this increase was significant, it is still short of
what is required and the Sinn Féin team of candidates pledges to
continue to work with local communities to restore this vital
infrastructure. All our incoming local authority members will press
this demand as a key priority.''
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