Sligo-based councillor Chris MacManus has been announced as Matt Carthy’s successor to the European Parliament for the Midlands North West constituency.
MacManus, who has been a councillor for over 20 years, steps into the role after Matt was elected as a TD for Cavan Monaghan in the recent general election.
The Sligo native, who has been active in republican politics for nearly 20 years, was first elected to Sligo County Council in 1999. He ran in the general election in 2016.
A Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle member, MacManus organised the Yes Equality campaign in Co. Sligo in 2015, was one of the spokespersons for the Right2Water campaign in the county and is also active with the Northwest Palestinian Solidarity Committee.
Carthy said: ‘I am thrilled that Chris is taking from me as the MEP for this constituency. He has been a dedicated republican and an outstanding public representative for more than 20 years and he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as a new perspective, to the role.
‘I know he will be an excellent representative for all the people of the Midlands North West area and will continue to battle in Europe for workers, farmers and families in this constituency’.
MacManus said he is ‘honoured and delighted’ to take over from Matt in the MEP role.
He said: ‘Matt has been an absolutely brilliant MEP for this constituency and I am looking forward to continuing his work for the people of the Midlands North West area.
‘The focus continues to be, rightly, on Brexit and the potential fall-out for Ireland. I will, like Matt, continue to ensure there is no hardening of the border and ensure that Irish interests are strongly and robustly defended in the trade talks. Sinn Féin has been strong in advocating for Ireland at an EU level since the Brexit vote in 2016.
‘In addition, I am fully aware of the issues faced by farming families and rural communities who have been impacted by the decisions of successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil governments and who face an uncertain future in the current European budget talks.
‘I will stand up for Irish farmers, stand up for their families and communities and stand against any cuts to farm payments that may be proposed in the new EU budget or any threat to rural livelihoods from trade deals’.