Following a recent selection convention held in the Temperance Hall, Loughrea, attended by Chris MacManus MEP and Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin have confirmed two more candidates to contest next June’s Local Elections. Ailish O’Reilly from Woodford will stand in the Loughrea LEA while Louis O’Hara from Athenry will run in the Athenry-Oranmore LEA.
Ailish O’Reilly is from near Woodford in County Galway originally. After a career in the medical device manufacturing industry she took up a role in the charity sector. She is well known for her work in community development in Haiti and more recently her humanitarian aid support for Ukraine. Ailish also volunteers with community groups in her native parish of Woodford, helping bring success to the village in 2022 winning Galway Pride of Place and a partnership with Coillte that has created 3km of accessible woodland loop.
As cathaoirleach of the Loughrea cumann she spoke at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Athlone on the Derelict Sites Levy. Speaking on her selection as a Sinn Féin candidate for Loughrea Electoral Area Ailish says “As a parent, a small farmer and self-employed I see and live the challenges of trying to survive in rural Ireland. I will represent my community in addressing housing; road infrastructure and accessible services for people in rural County Galway”
Louis O’Hara is from Peakroe, Athenry. O’Hara has worked for several years as Constituency Manager for Chris MacManus MEP, working closely on issues such as regional imbalance and rural decline as part of his role. He previously contested both the 2019 Local Elections and 2020 General Election, narrowly missing out on winning a seat in Galway East at the last General Election.
Speaking following his selection, O’Hara said he is looking forward to the campaign ahead:
“I look forward to working to represent my community and to being part of a bigger and stronger team of Sinn Féin councillors that will ensure that Galway County Council delivers on the issues that matter locally.
“Housing, community facilities and amenities and local infrastructure will be a priority for me. Ending the housing crisis is Sinn Féin’s number one priority and a strong team of Sinn Féin councillors will hit the ground running here in Galway to deliver, so that people locally can begin to see a real difference.”
