Sinn Féin sets sights on leading Cork City Council after next year's elections 

Sinn Féin has set its sights on leading Cork City Council after next year’s elections, one of the party’s sitting councillors has declared, with three candidates nominated at a Sinn Féin election convention in Cork South Central.

Cllr Fiona Kerins said the party could win three seats in the ward at the local elections, which are expected to take place in June of next year.

One of Sinn Féin’s four members on the 31-member strong local authority, Cllr Kerins was one of three candidates selected by the party to contest seats in the Cork South Central ward. 

The other two are Grange-based Eoghan Jeffers and Luke McGrath who lives on the Pouladuff Road.

“I'm delighted that we have such a strong team of Sinn Féin candidates to stand up for workers and families,” said Cllr Kerins.

“Eoghan and Luke are outstanding party representatives who care deeply about our communities. If elected, they will make a real difference.

"The desire for political change locally is growing by the day.

“Those left behind and let down by government policies want a change of direction and they know that this change can start at the local elections in June.” 

Eoghan Jeffers, who previously represented the Grange and Frankfield area on Cork County Council, and Luke McGrath, who works as a political assistant to Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, have declared the provision of affordable housing as their priority.

“The private market is not going to fix this housing crisis and Cork City Council needs to be the lead in developing housing in the city,” said Eoghan Jeffers.

According to Luke McGrath, a major ramping up in the delivery of affordable homes to rent or buy in Cork City was needed.

“I see it every day - young people and families desperately seeking to put an affordable, secure roof over their heads.

“Despite doing all the right things, they remain locked out of such a basic need.

This is very wrong and things have to change,” he said as he pledged he would be ‘a strong voice for those locked out of affordable housing and a passionate representative for the community’.