Teenager from Taughmaconnell to run for Sinn Féin in South Roscommon
One of the youngest council election candidates in the country will be standing for Sinn Féin in South Roscommon, it has been announced.
Sam Brooks (18), from Taughmaconnell, was selected to run for the party in the Athlone Electoral Area of Roscommon at a convention held in Taughmaconnell Community Centre last Friday evening.
The local elections are taking place on Friday, June 7, and Brooks will join Drum resident Joe Harney on the Sinn Féin ticket in South Roscommon.
Brooks last year served as chairperson of Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg. Speaking at Friday's convention, he said he was "excited" about the prospect of standing in the local elections.
"The next nine weeks are going to be tough. It is going to be an uphill battle to get to every voter and convince them of our message, but this is a fight worth fighting," he said.
"There are so many issues locally that frankly have not been adequately addressed and we need to get out there and show that we will fight for these issues if elected in June.
"Flooding in Lough Funshinagh and across South Roscommon is a massive issue for farmers and local residents. Public transport, especially with the cancellation of Aircoach's Galway to Dublin Airport service has jumped to the top of the priority list.
"Rural decline outside of public transport, including the closure of rural Garda stations, post offices, and other businesses have devastated local areas across the county. These and so many more issues need to be addressed and tackled as we move into this election season.
"All I am asking is that people across South Roscommon give me a chance to step up. I have personally brought local issues such as public transport and mental health to the council chamber, Leinster House, and local media, all without being an elected representative.
"I only ask that people let me continue that work as a councillor. If elected it would truly be an honour and privilege to represent South Roscommon on the council."
Also addressing the convention, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon-Galway, Claire Kerrane, said: "I am delighted to see a young person from a rural community stepping up to run for Sinn Féin in the upcoming local elections.
"Sam is exactly the kind of candidate that can make a difference at Council level - he is young, articulate, full of energy and enthusiasm and, most importantly, he cares about the community he comes from.
"We now have a team of six candidates across the county running for Sinn Féin. This is the largest number of candidates we have ever run for local elections and in doing so, we are providing an opportunity to the people in every part of the county to elect a Sinn Féin councillor who will work to represent them and deliver for their community," she added.