Republican News · Thursday 18 October 2001

Sinn Féin sweeps the colleges

DCU

Sinn Féin continues to grow by leaps and bounds in the universities of Ireland. After several years of hard work, the Sheena Campbell Cumann of DCU Sinn Féin has overtaken Fianna Fáil as the biggest political party on campus.

"What makes this all the more dramatic is that every other political party in DCU suffered a decline in membership to a point where the continued existence of Fine Gael and Labour on campus must be in doubt," said Chairperson Donncha MacConmara.

"This is despite a determined campaign across the country by Ográ Fianna Fáil, which involved high profile speakers, including ministers and Bertie Ahern and massive investment in a poster campaign. The incredible growth of Sinn Féin in third level institutions is a matter of serious concern to the establishment parties and Fianna Fáil in particular.

"In the end, it comes down to work on the ground," said MacConmara. "Fianna Fáil offers a trip to the Dáil and junkets and we offer the chance to actually get involved in political activism and make it relevant to students, so not only do we get more members, the ones we get are more committed."

Trinity

Sinn Fein in Trinity College has also had a great start to this academic year. After a hugely active and successful previous year, the numbers of people flocking to the party have been up again. The cumann in Trinity was only founded four years ago, but now it is firmly established, with over 100 members and it plays and active part in college life. As other parties suffer dwindling memberships, Sinn Féin remains a party on the move.