MacManus steps down as Sinn Féin seek new General Election Candidate
Sinn Féin Councillor Sean MacManus has announced that after long
deliberation he has decided not to seek his party’s nomination for the
forthcoming general election. Speaking today Councillor MacManus said that
he had reached his decision despite widespread urging from both public and
party members for him to allow his name to go forward again.
“Over the past number of months I have been asked by many people as to my
intentions in relation to contesting the next general election. Both Sinn
Féin activists and members of the public have repeatedly encouraged me to
let my name go forward again as a candidate due to the increased potential
of Sinn Féin taking a seat here.
I have given this matter a lot of thought over a lengthy period and I have
now come to the conclusion that after having contested a number of general
elections for Sinn Féin it is time to pass on the baton to someone else.”
“This has of course been a difficult decision for me to make. I am humbled
to have been the most public face of Sinn Féin in Sligo and Leitrim for a
considerable number of years, particularly since the death of the former
Sinn Féin TD John Joe McGirl.
As a life-long republican activist I am extremely proud of having been
involved at a senior level in many events which impacted on this region. In
particular I take satisfaction from my role in working on the Northern peace
process and seeing all the positive benefits that have accrued to our
country from it. Being twice Mayor of Sligo was a fantastic experience for
me and is also a source of quiet satisfaction.”
“It is however my feeling that I have assisted in bringing Sinn Féin as far
as I possibly can during my time of contesting general elections over the
past twenty years. When I first ran in Sligo/Leitrim in 1989 Sinn Fein was a
relatively small party striving to provide a real alternative to the
establishment parties.
Over the subsequent general elections we have seen our share of the vote
increase over four-fold and put us in a position where we are now the third
largest party in this constituency after Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. For that
progress I now want to sincerely thank the thousands of people who have
voted for me in those general elections. We are nothing without the support
of the people.”
“I have being a long time involved in politics during which I have committed
much of my adult life in trying to build Sinn Féin and in particular to
making our message of national unity and building a fairer society more
central to Irish political life. As result, and to my deep regret, during
those years my family often came second to politics.”
“I would now like to use whatever liberty this decision gives me to
concentrate my energies on continuing to being a committed community
activist and councillor.
Soon Sinn Féin will be selecting a new general election candidate, I want to
take this opportunity to assure whoever he or she is that they will have my
full and active support in winning a seat here. I want also to call on all
those who supported me to now continue that support for this new candidate.”
“It has been an honour to have had the confidence of my party as a general
election candidate for twenty years. It is my clear intention to continue to
serve my community as a public reprehensive for as long as that community
continues to have faith in me”
For confirmation call Sean MacManus at 086 8198456
‘Sligo Labour Party betray their supporters’-- MacManus
15 June 2009
Sinn Féin Councillor Chris MacManus has accused the
Labour Party of ‘betraying their supporters for their own selfish reasons.’
Cllr. MacManus was speaking after today’s Mayoral Election for Sligo Borough
Council, where Labour joined with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to form a mayoral
pact.
Councillor MacManus continued, “history was made last
week when the people of
Sligo – for the first
time – elected a council, that on paper at least, was left-leaning and
pro-community. However, Labour councillors reneged on the trust placed in them
by their supporters, by agreeing an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
“Labour alongside Sinn Féin and Councillor Declan Bree
had a mandate to implement a five-year agreed programme of progressive and
pro-community policies. To ensure transparency in local government decision
making, to make sure the public got value for money when public finances were
being spent and that at last local communities, not developers and big business,
took priority in City Hall.
“However, what have Labour done? They have rewarded
Fianna Fail, a party that nationally has ruined the economy and that locally is
destroying our health services here in the
Sligo region. Labour must answer to the people on what
deal has been struck by them on both Sligo Borough and County Councils with the
establishment parties. Let the people judge whether these pacts were worthy of
letting this historical opportunity pass.
Cllr. MacManus concluded, “my Sinn Féin colleagues Cllr.
Arthur Gibbons, Cllr. Sean MacManus as well as myself have alongside Cllr. Bree
signed up to support ‘A Civic Charter for
Sligo’, a programme for governing the Borough Council over the next five
years. We consider this a progressive document that addresses many of the issues
facing our city and a framework for responsible local governance. It is most
unfortunate that the local Labour Party Councillors have put themselves and
their short-term needs before the requirements of the local communities they
claim to represent. ENDS
MacManus calls on electorate to
vote
Sinn Fein Councillor Sean MacManus has issued an appeal to the voters of
Co. Sligo to come out and vote for real change next Friday. Speaking at the
weekend Councillor MacManus said:
"The sharp end of the current economic crisis is being felt at a
community and personal level throughout this state. Spending cuts and a lack of
investment are undermining the delivery of key services. Many people are
disillusioned with the government leading in some cases to reluctance to vote. I
would appeal to those who might think about staying at home to reconsider as to
not vote will only help this useless government.
"Local government
matters. Decisions made locally will have a negative or positive impact on
community life. To properly reform local government we need to change the
balance of power on councils across the state that have been dominated by Fianna
Fáil and Fine Gael for decades.
"The recent laughable attempts by many
Fianna Fáil councillors to distance themselves from the government, and indeed
their own party, should be seen for what they are - political cynicism and an
insult to the electorate. People can see through this charade.
"To the voters of County Sligo who are sick, sore and tired of the abuse
that has been heaped on them by this rotten government, I say this – if you want
to send the clearest message that change is needed, the most effective way to do
that is to vote Sinn Féin.
"Sinn Fein’s record of working with local
communities is well known by now.
Our party has delivered for people at a
local level throughout
Ireland. In this election we intend
to seize the opportunity to continue that work and to do it on a wider
scale.
"We are seeking a mandate to resist government attacks on working
people and the vulnerable in our society. We want to fundamentally reform local
government to make it responsive to the needs of the people and suited to the
challenges of
Ireland in the 21st
century.
"Sinn Féin wants to build a real alliance for change and we will
start at local government level.
"These elections can mark the beginning
of a progressive momentum for new and positive politics. But only if people
ensure that they go out and vote on 5 June."
ENDS
HEALY CALLS FOR RETHINK ON BALLISADARE POLL
BOOTH
Thomas Healy, the Sinn Fein candidate for
the Ballymote electoral area, has received confirmation from Sligo County
Council that they do not intend to provide a polling station for the part of
Ballisadare remaining in the Ballymote electoral area. Mr Healy has described
this as “ a retrograde step, discouraging people from coming out to cast their
vote. Even at this late stage something can be done to facilitate the
electorate of Ballisadare to vote in their traditional polling station instead
of having to travel to Collooney.”
Ballisadare will be electorally divided for
the first time in the local election contest on June 5th. The
portion of the village on the right bank of the Ballisadare River
remains in the Ballymote electoral area whilst the remainder has ceded to the
enlarged Dromore West area.
“I have been campaigning on this issue
since last January,” stated Mr Healy, “ when the village of Ballisadare was
divided I knew immediately that this could cause an administrative problem for
the polling station and made a request to the Council to provide a separate
polling station for Ballisadare. I am extremely disappointed that the Council
has not allowed this. It is vital that the part of the constituency covering
Ballisadare, Collooney, Ballygawley and Ballingtogher elects their own
representative to the County Council. However this decision by the Council is a
disincentive to the electorate of Ballisadare to use their vote. In particular
elderly people, parents of young children and anyone without private transport
will find it difficult to travel to Collooney to cast their vote. I am calling
on the Council to reverse their decision and either provide a polling station
for Ballisadare or allow the electorate a dedicated polling box in their
traditional polling station at St Johns National School. This is an unfair
situation to place people in and I am calling on the Council to reverse their
decision”.CRIOCH
For confirmation contact Thomas Healy @ 086
3666561
