Republican News · Thursday 3 April 2003

New faces on Ard Comhairle and Officer Board

No fewer than 22 Sinn Féin members contested the election for the party's national executive, the Ar Comhairle. The following 12 people, eight men and four women, were returned by the delegates. On the officer board, Robbie Smyth from Dublin was elected unopposed as Ard Rúnaí, replacing Lucilita Bhreatnach, who has taen on new responsibilities for the party after 15 years in the position. Joe Reilly and Dessie Mackin stepped down after many years of service as party treasurers, and Margaret Adams and Treasa Quinn took up the reins. The only post on the officer board to be contested was for the position of National Chairperson, in which the incumbent, Mitchel McLaughlin, saw off his longtime comrade Francie Molloy, who was, nonetheless, also returned by delegates to the Ard Comhairle.

Ard Comhairle

Martina Anderson Derry

Bairbre de Brún Belfast

Michelle Gildernew Fermanagh

Gerry Kelly Belfast

Alex Maskey Belfast

Mary Lou MacDonald Dublin

Martin McGuinness Derry

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin Monaghan

Arnie O'Connell Cork

Ken O'Connell Cork

Aengus Ó Snodaigh Dublin

Francie Molloy Tyrone

Officer Board

Gerry Adams President

Pat Doherty Vice President

Mitchel McLaughlin Party Chair

Dawn Doyle Director of Publicity

Margaret Adams Treasurer

Treasa Quinn Treasurer

Robbie Smyth General Secretary