SINN Fein held a selection convention in the Beach Hotel in Downings last night when Maria Doherty, daughter of the former Sinn Féin Vice President and West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty, was confirmed as the party’s candidate for the new three seat Milford Electoral Area in the forthcoming local elections.
The convention was addressed by the Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, a close friend of Maria Doherty.
Deputy McDonald said: “I have known Maria for many years and indeed she acted as my Director of Election on a number of occasions. She is a remarkably talented and determined woman. While Maria worked in Dublin for many years, her heart was always in the hills of Donegal. She always yearned to return home and our loss in Dublin is very much Donegal’s gain.”
“The decision by Maria Doherty to contest this election is an exciting challenge for Sinn Féin members and supporters in this area. While it will be a tough challenge, 1900 people in this area gave Sinn Féin their first preference vote at the 2016 Dáil election and that demonstrates that Maria Doherty can be elected as a County Councillor to fight for the communities across the Milford Electoral Area”.
Councillors John Sheamais Ó’Fearraigh, Gerry McMonagle, Aidy Glackin, Jack Murray, Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald, Candidate Maria Doherty, Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty TD
Speaking at the event Maria Doherty said she was deeply honoured to have been chosen as the candidate for the area.
“Like many young people back in the day and since, I had to leave my home place to earn a living but it was always my dream to return home and to roll up my sleeves for the people of my home parish and the people of Donegal and to put to use the years of experience that I have; years of experience working with NGO’s and the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland and working successfully with national and international organisations including state Enterprise and Education bodies.
“For too long, the people of this area have been failed by the old establishment political parties in government after government. One public service after the other has been lost be it post offices, garda stations, public transport or health services. Large numbers of local families are left without a vital broadband connection in a global economy that demands it. Where is the vision for rural communities in Donegal? Where is the fairness?
“I have been living back home for the last year now and I look forward to meeting as many people as possible across this Milford Electoral Area over the months ahead and hopefully to join a strong Sinn Féin team on Donegal County Council when the votes are counted in May”.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)