Sinn Fein to discuss vacant B'duff seat tonight

The Sinn Fein comhairle for Ballyjamesduff area is to meet later tonight, when the co-option of a candidate to the County Council seat recently vacated by Grainne Brady, and the intention to firm up interest potential candidates in the area ahead of the 2014 local election will be discusssed.

While the selection in either case is not expected to take place until the New Year, potential nominations will be sought as the party seek to clarify what names voters will see on the ballot next year.

The newly realigned Ballyjamesduff electoral area for the forthcoming local elections will take in areas from Arvagh to Kilnaleck, Springfield and Virginia.

Former Cllr Ms Brady, was co-opted into Sinn Féin’s ranks early last year to replace Cllr Pauline Tully McCauley, announced she too was stepping down from the position citing 'personal reasons'.

Meanwhile, last night Sinn Fein nominees for the newly aligned Cootehill-Bailieborough area were chosen, with sitting County Cllrs Charlie Boylan and Paddy McDonald both set to run for election there.

Cllr Boylan explained to The Anglo-Celt the choice to run two strong names in the Cootehill-Bailieborough area was more due to the fact that he himself, due to the realignment, had lost much of the area where he is been best known and served during his time as a representative.

“The lives of the former Cavan area, Redhills, Ballyhaise, Laragh and Lavey where I'd have been well known are all now part of this new electoral area. It will be a challenge but both the party and myself and Cllr McDonald feel we have a very strong chance to succeed.”

In the new Belturbet-Cavan area, Cllr Damien Brady has been put forward once again as the party's representative, with the party further indicating its intention to find a running mate from within confines of the County Town.

Continuing the election strategy hope of running two candidates in each of the three new areas, that person too will be chosen in early 2014.