Ruane will not contest next general election

Mayo Sinn Féin Councillor Thérèse Ruane will not be putting her name forward as a Sinn Féin candidate to contest the next general election.

She will continue in her role as a Mayo county councillor and continue to work for individuals, groups and communities at a local level. She fully endorses and supports the Sinn Féin candidate selected at the upcoming convention this weekend.

Admitting it was not an easy decision, Councillor Ruane said: “I have thought long and hard about it. However, I know in my heart and my soul that my loyalty and commitment is at a grassroots and community level. I enjoy local politics and I feel passionately about building resilient communities and strong and fair local democracy.

'I also have a number of professional and personal interests that take up a lot of time and I firmly believe I can best serve my local community and my constituents as a local representative on Mayo County Council.

“I believe that Sinn Féin can, and will, take a seat in the next general election. I fully endorse and support the Sinn Féin candidate selected at the upcoming convention this weekend and I look forward to history being made and seeing a Sinn Féin TD elected in Mayo at the next election.”