Sinn Féin announce candidates for North Tipp local elections

Tipperary Sinn Féin have announced their latest group of local election candidates, selecting four candidates for the Nenagh, Roscrea/Templemore, Newport and Thurles LEAs of North Tipperary.

A recent selection convention in the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh resulted in the fielding of a team of talented Sinn Féin candidates for the upcoming local elections across North Tipperary:

Those selected include Thurles Sinn Féin representative Dan Harty, Newport Sinn Féin representative Gavin Ryan, Nenagh representative Damian O’Donoghue, and Roscrea-Templemore Sinn Féin Representative Breandán Ó Conchúir.

Dan Harty is from Ballyvoneen in the parish of Holycross. He works in retail and is also involved in the family business as well as a small family farm with his father.

He and his partner Avril have two young girls aged 4 and 5 and Dan has a 14-year-old step daughter.

Dan said:

“Is onóir mór é dom a bheith roghnaithe mar iarrathóir Shinn Féin i dtoghachán áitiúil 2024.

“My aim is work as hard as I can as a County Councillor to deliver for the people of Tipperary and those living in the Thurles municipal district in particular.

“In that role, I hope to make a positive impact for people, in the areas of social and affordable housing provision, improved council services, prioritising local infrastructure projects, rural public transport and traffic management issues, and by having an effective influence on council budgets.

“I will be the voice to represent young people, people in rural areas, those most affected by the housing crisis, and working families who are struggling to make ends meet.

Gavin Ryan is a 27-year-old History, Geography and Special Education secondary school teacher in Limerick city. He has been involved in Sinn Féin since turning 18, and has served as local area representative since the Treacy/Cooney Cumann was founded in Newport in 2021.

Gavin’s community work has included the Newport Drama Group, the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee, Newport Festive Lights committee, and the local Foróige Youth Club. Gavin counts providing more affordable homes, putting an end to dereliction, providing adequate community facilities and amenities, and improving local infrastructure as his key aims if elected.

Gavin said:

“I value community involvement and understand the challenges we face in Newport and the surrounding areas, where people aspire to improving their towns or villages, and making them more community-focused places. I am determined to deliver positive and effective representation through the realisation of these goals.

“As a member of generation rent, with no sign of home ownership on the horizon, I feel it is a priority in our district, in places like Newport, Ballina, Portroe and Templederry that more social and affordable housing is built. The severe shortage of suitable housing is causing rents and house prices to go through the roof. All this is adding to a growing homeless crisis in North Tipperary.

“I want anyone who votes for me to know that I am not just be a voice for change, I want to be a visible presence for change.”

Damian O Donoghue has been the Sinn Féin representative for the Nenagh Electoral Area for the past six years.

From Nenagh, he has been very active within the community in the areas of housing, health, mental health and disability services. His community volunteerism has included the local food bank, Pieta House, the Nenagh Needs it's A&E campaign and Tipperary Cost of Living Coalition. He also founded and ran the North Tipperary Voluntary Covid Response Group during the pandemic delivering food and supplies to hundreds of families.

Damian said:

“I am very honoured to have been selected to run in next year's local elections. I am passionate about our community and look forward to discussing important local issues with people over the coming months.

“Over the past few years, I have seen the frustrations of people, and like any organisation, I believe the council is in need of new representation. I intend to speak up at council level and, to the best of my ability, act as a vital link between people and the council.”

Breandán Ó Conchúir has been a member of Sinn Féin for over a decade. Originally from Donohill in west Tipperary, he lives in Drom with his wife and two daughters. He currently works in the Cashel constituency office of Martin Browne TD, and helps run a small market garden with his mother.

Breandán said:

“Like many young people, I had to emigrate during the last recession. We moved home to Tipperary after getting married in 2019 to raise our family. As a parent with young children and part of the generation struggling with high rents and house prices my priorities are ensuring that young people can afford to live and work in Tipperary.

“I’ve worked for Sinn Féin in the European Parliament and now work for Martin Brown TD which has given me extensive experience in assisting people with a range of issues, while informing me of the challenges facing communities. I’ve also been involved in sports clubs and community groups such as the North Tipperary Show society, Premier Martial Arts in Roscrea, and Templemore Boxing Club.

“Sinn Féin wants Ireland to be a country where ordinary working people can afford housing and have access to first class health care and education. My priorities are ensuring there is adequate social and affordable housing in Tipperary, improved funding for youth and community groups, and as someone who chose to return to rural Ireland, and is involved in working on the land, I am passionate about ensuring rural Ireland has the resources to not only survive but thrive.

“Is gaelainn mé freisin agus oibreoidh mé chun tacaíocht an teangá agus muintir gaelainn I dTiobraid Árann.”

Welcoming the strong team being selected for Tipperary Sinn Féin, Deputy Martin Browne said:

“Tipperary is calling for change. Tipperary Sinn Féin is answering that call by selecting the largest ever number of candidates to fill seats on Tipperary County Council. Their dedication to their communities is second to none, as is the expansion and strength of Sinn Féin throughout Tipperary, and our commitment to work for everyone. A change for the better is on its way.

“And this isn’t the end of the process as we’ll be adding more candidates to our team in due course.”