Sinn Fein expecting Westmeath electoral success
Sinn Fein are expecting to win a few seats in next year's local elections, local party officials revealed during Mary Lou McDonald's visit to the town this afternoon.
The party intends to run candidtates in Westmeath's three redrawn electoral areas in next summer's local election and according to Athlone town councillor Paul Hogan, the party is confident that it can claim "a couple of seats, at least".
Echoing her party colleague's sentiments, Deputy McDonald said that the key to securing electoral success is "winning people's confidence and trust".
"I think next year's local election will be a big opportunity for us. We want to ensure that we maximise Republican representation in councils right across the state.
"Maybe it's because we are landed in such a deep economic crisis, I think an increasing number of people are realising that the way politics have been done in the past hasn't worked and I think our message about investment in jobs, a sustainable economy, social justice, equality, support for carers, citizens rights, I think that has a resonence that it wouldn't have had ten years ago. I think things are looking well for us, but I don't underestimate the challenge."
The Dublin Central TD visited a number of community organisations including the Carers Association, the 1428 Club and the YoYo Youth Cafe.