Sinn Féin Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty have been selected by their party to run in the upcoming General Election in Donegal.
The party’s local convention took place last night at the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny and was hosted by the Sinn Féin MP for the Fermanagh South Tyrone constituency, Pat Cullen MP.
The Deputies had been nominated to stand by 12 local Sinn Féin cumanns in Donegal with there being no other nominations.
Both sitting TDs already, Deputy Doherty is the Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Finance and Deputy Leader of the party whilst Deputy Mac Lochlainn is the party’s Chief Whip and Spokesperson for Fisheries and the Marine.
There had been strong speculation that the party would run three candidates with the name of foemr county councillor Cora Harvey being mentioned as a possible candidate.
But, in the end, just the two candidates were put forward.
Speaking at the event, Teachta Mac Lochlainn said “I am delighted and honoured to have been selected by my party to go forward to contest the next General Election whenever it is announced.
“People in Donegal have a choice to make at this election: Do they choose a government that has neglected this county for the longest time, or do they vote for real and positive change? That is the question that will be put to people.
“Do they vote for the ongoing neglect of our hospitals and health services, no affordable homes, rents and house prices beyond the reach of working families, a failed defective block redress scheme, or do they vote for a party that will work for them not against them?”
Deputy Doherty added “I want to thank my fellow party members in the county for putting their trust in me again to go forward and contest the general election.
“Over the last 5 years I’ve never missed the opportunity to put Donegal first. To argue the case for Donegal. To highlight how we have been left behind and what needs to be done.
“Over the next five years I want to be part of leading government – not arguing – but rather delivering for Donegal. Delivering for those who need reform of our health service, delivering houses for workers and families, delivering for those affected by defective blocks, delivering for coastal and farming communities and supporting our Gaeltacht communities.
“It will be an important election. The first where people will go to the voting booths knowing that change is possible.
“The old certainties are gone. A vote for Sinn Féin will be a vote for a change and for a new government with Donegal at its heart.”
