Sinn Féin nominates six candidates for Seanad election, including high-profile former TD
Bay General The Photos Election, An Casualty In Andrews, Lost Hayes To Unexpected Seat Boal/collins Sam Eoin Td Dublin Former South Chris His Picture:
Sinn Féin has nominated six candidates to run in next month's Seanad election, including a high-profile former TD and a Cork general election candidate.
Former Dublin Bay South TD Chris Andrews, an unexpected casualty in the general election, lost his seat to Eoin Hayes.
Mr Hayes, a Social Democrats TD, is currently suspended from the party for providing false statements to the media about when he divested shares in a US software company with ties to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Sinn Féin has nominated Mr Andrews on the Labour Panel, alongside Maria McCormack, who ran as a general election candidate in Laois.
Ms McCormack entered the Laois race after Brian Stanley resigned from the party amid a contentious internal investigation into a complaint made against him.
Cork activist and general election candidate Nicole Ryan will contest the Seanad on the Administrative Panel.
Following the tragic death of her brother Alex, who consumed a lethal designer drug at a party, Ms Ryan turned her grief into action.
Since Alex's passing, she established a drug education program in his name, which has benefitted over 13,000 young people.
Recognizing that meaningful change requires policy action, Ms Ryan said entering politics was already on her mind when Sinn Féin approached her to run for election earlier this year.
Sinn Féin MLA for Newry/Armagh Conor Murphy will contest the Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, a move the party says will bring "a strong northern voice" to Leinster House.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald stated: "Conor Murphy's candidacy underscores Sinn Féin’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland, promoting the All-Ireland economy, and advancing the Irish unity debate in the Oireachtas."
"As we prepare and plan for constitutional change, Sinn Féin is committed to mature, inclusive dialogue across the island and in Britain.
"Our proposals and the work of the Sinn Féin Commission on the future of Ireland reflect our dedication to achieving reunification and a peaceful, prosperous, and shared future for everyone who shares this island."
Mr Murphy will continue serving as a member of the Stormont Assembly and Minister for the Economy until the Seanad election has concluded, with the next steps to be determined based on the results.
Former TD for Cavan-Monaghan Pauline Tully will run on the Cultural and Educational Panel, while Limerick general election candidate Joanne Collins has been nominated for the Agricultural Panel.
Confirming the party's six candidates, Ms McDonald said they stand to represent the hopes of those who voted for Sinn Féin and other parties because "they believe politics must change."
"People want to see the housing crisis resolved, an end to the trolley crisis, support for families struggling with the cost of living, and hope and opportunity for our young people who are leaving our shores for a better future," Ms McDonald said.