Sinn Fein selects candidate for local elections

LOCAL man Padraig Hegarty is putting his name forward to contest next year's local elections for Sinn Féin.

Paul Hogan, who had been a Sinn Féin councillor for the past 14 years, announced recently that he was leaving the party. He may contest the local elections next year and/or the next general election as an Independent candidate but says he has not yet made up his mind.
A spokesman for Sinn Féin headquarters told the Westmeath Independent: “Obviously we will contest the (local) election.” He said a decision on who will run for the party in the election has not yet been made. “Paul is just gone out the door,” he said. 
It is expected that a convention will take place in September.
The PRO of the Liam Ryan Cumann - one of two cumainn in Athlone - John Madden said it has chosen a candidate. The candidate will be Padraig Hegarty (31) from Baylough, who is involved in the boat club and who has lived in the US in the past.
“We will be putting forward Padraig Hegarty,” confirmed Mr Madden.
Mr Hogan was a member of the Costello/Hurson Cumann. It's not known if that cumann intends to put forward a candidate.
David McWeeney, who secured 645 votes in the local elections for Roscommon County Council in 2014, told the Westmeath Independent that he won't be contesting it.
Mullingar-based Councillor Sorca Clarke will contest the next general election for Sinn Féin in the Longford-Westmeath constituency.
She was selected at a convention last December.