The main function room in the Marcy Hotel in West Street was packed to the rafters last night for the launch of the Sinn Féin General Election campaign in Louth and East Meath by party President and current leader of the opposition, Mary Lou McDonald.
“I don’t want to upset the Dundalk Supporters in the room” Mary Lou said, “but I think we can all congratulate Drogheda United on what is an incredible achievement for the club, for the town, for the entire county!”
When the cheers had subsided, Ms McDonald continued by saying: “We have three weeks to change the government, we are asking people to come out and use their vote to elect a government for working people led by Sinn Féin. The very best way the people of Louth can help make this happen is to elect three Sinn Féin TDs for this constituency.
Continuing the sporting metaphors Mary Lou said: “We have the best team on the pitch across Ireland and we have the best team on the pitch here in Louth. Three candidates who live and breathe for the people and the communities of this county.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have had a century of chances but they failed you again and again because they are on the side of the vested interests, the insiders, the wealthy property funds, and those at the top.
“Give us the chance to show you what a government that is truly on the side of working people can achieve and deliver and we will not let you down.
“Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, and their friends in high places think they’ve this election all sewn up. Well, I think the people in this room will have something to say about that!”
During her speech Drogheda Sinn Fein candidate Joanna Byrne said: “As somebody who has stood with all of you in this room for many years to protect our heritage, in support of the LGBTQ community, remembering those who sacrificed their lives for our country, in solidarity with Palestine and against drugs and crime in our County, and in Drogheda in particular, I feel I am well placed and experienced to take on this next chapter.
“People realise they have a clear choice here, more of the same from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael or ambition, drive and determination from a Sinn Féin led Government.
Paying tribute to Imelda Munster who she said had been tenacious in her eight years as a TD and 12 years before that in local government, she said: “I believe I have what it takes to build on the great work done by Imelda in the Leinster House team and I will continue the fight on a national scale for Drogheda.
“I will stand up for those who need me and be that continued voice for families and our community that has been left behind by successive Governments who have turned a blind eye to this region over many decades when it comes to investment and services.
“With your support we can together untap possibilities for a better life for all our people. With your support I believe we can not only hold onto the two SF seats in Louth, but with the addition of Antoin to the ticket potentially take a third.
“Drogheda, like Dundalk and all parts of Mid-Louth have been left behind by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments in terms of Housing, Infrastructure, Community and Sporting amenities and indeed Policing, and these are issues I want to continue to advocate and fight for on behalf of the people we represent.
“Only last week we saw a blind eye turned by this government to a sporting masterplan with state of the art sporting facilities that would have benefitted everyone throughout the largest town in the country. A snub by the Minister of sport to the very team that took nearly 20,000 supporters to the Aviva some days later and won the FAI Cup.
“The next General Election will give an opportunity to reset the politics in this region and offer a new approach for Drogheda, Louth, and Ireland. For far too long the establishment parties have ruled the roost and left our communities behind.”
