At a recent selection convention chaired by Northwest EU candidate Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sorca Clarke, from Ardleigh, was selected to contest the local elections on behalf of Sinn Féin for Mullingar Town Council and Westmeath County Council (Mullingar West ).
Sorca is a married mother of two young children. Originally from Artane in Dublin, Sorca comes from a strongly Republican family. She moved to the Ardleigh Estate with her family in early 2005. She attended Dublin Business School and later Griffith College, where she qualified as a Certified Public Accountant. She currently works as a self-employed accountant in the town.
Sorca has been a highly active member of Westmeath Sinn Féin for the past four years. During this time she has played a leading role locally and regionally, acting as secretary of Mullingar Sinn Féin, and equality officer of Westmeath and North Leinster Sinn Féin.
Sorca is very active in the local community and has been involved with a number of local groups including the Mullingar St Patrick’s Day Committee. In addition, she is currently on the Board of Management of a local school as a parents’ representative and a member of the Ardleigh Vale Residents’ Association.
In her acceptance speech Sorca addressed the gathered crowd, “I am thoroughly looking forward to the upcoming election campaign, to knocking on doors and talking to the individuals and groups who, like me, want the very best for Mullingar.
“I think there is a real appetite for politics at this minute in time, a real appetite for change, and a real appetite for fresh ideas. The current economic crisis has put many, many, people under real pressure. It has placed additional financial strain on all sectors of the community, both young and old, many of whom were struggling before the downturn.
“Many people feel their needs are not being adequately met and their voices are not being heard. A new focus is needed, a new energy is needed. I would be honoured to represent the people of Mullingar, as a new voice for all the people.”
