Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Hogan has rubbished reports that he has been reconsidering his candidacy in the forthcoming General Election.
Councillor Hogan said that he was aware of the rumours that have been circulating regarding his election run but said that there is absolutely no truth to them. Hogan will be Sinn Féin’s one and only candidate contesting the Longford-Westmeath election ticket after being nominated at the convention in January of this year.
Speaking this week, Councillor Hogan said: “I heard the rumours last Friday and they seemed to gather pace over the weekend, but as far as I am concerned it is just wishful thinking on behalf of my opponents. That is all they are - rumours. I am certainly contesting this General Election. I suppose I have been lucky in my political career in that every General Election I have contested my vote has doubled.
“Thankfully, I have the vast majority of Sinn Féin members in both Longford and Westmeath supporting my candidature. I am over in Mullingar at the minute and then in Longford tonight and back to Athlone after that, so I am very busy at the moment and I am fully committed to securing a seat for Sinn Féin in Longford and Westmeath.”
Councillor Hogan said he is very thankful for all the support he has received not only in the last few days in the midst of these rumours, but in the last 12 years since he entered political life.
Elsewhere, Labour’s Willie Penrose has delayed making a decision on whether or not he will run in the General Election for personal reasons, but will come to a final decision within the next few weeks.
