RSF Candidate Selected in Kells

meath | elections | press release Thursday January 29, 2009 13:15 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin tiocfaidh at btinternet dot com +44-7835 620 592 / +353-87 261 8603

Peter Fitzsimons of Kells, Co. Meath, has been selected to contest the upcoming local council election in Kells.

Peter Fitzsimons

On Wednesday, 28th January, Republican Sinn Féin held a Selection Convention in the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells, Co. Meath for the Kells Town Council area in the upcoming local elections. The meeting was addressed by Des Dalton of Athy, Co. Kildare – Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin and a candidate for Athy Town Council – who stressed that RSF candidates sought to give people a genuine voice in the council chambers as the only revolutionary Republican candidates in the field.

The Meath delegates selected Peter Fitzsimons of Kells as the organisation's candidate for the upcoming election. Peter is Cathaoirleach (Chair) of the Niall Fagan/Thomas Allen Cumann of Republican Sinn Féin in County Meath, and PRO and Vice-Chair of Comhairle Cúige Laighean (Leinster RSF Executive).

Peter comes from a strong Republican backround and has been active in promoting Republicanism in Meath for the past ten years. Peter has a strong connection with Meath and trusts that the people of Kells will see that there is a real alternative to the status quo.

Peter Fitzsimons has previously campaigned on a number of important local issues:

He opposed the M3 Motorway that has ruined the Tara/Skrnye Valley;

He picketed Tara Mines when there was a possibility of the mine closing;

Peter promoted action on Suicide Awareness, and the setting up of full-time youth groups in Kells.

In 2008 Peter compiled a Document on Suicide Awareness which has been passed onto the Education Commitee of Republican Sinn Féin.

Peter has identified the following as the key issues in his campaign for the upcoming Kells Town Council election in June:-

SUICIDE AWARENESS

Peter wishes to promote action on suicide awareness in the town of Kells, and throughout County Meath.

UNEMPLOYMENT

With unemployment in Kells currently standing at 1,298 – amounting to a 140% increase over two years – it represents one of the highest national increases. Urgent local action is needed to promote enterprise initiatives and protect existing employment.

HSE CUTBACKS

Due to the ongoing mismanagement of our health system, a more just approach is required in relation to medical cards; health care; home help, etc.

HOUSING

Private housing: Peter supports a moratorium on mortgage payments to prevent repossessions by the banking institutions.

Local and affordable housing: to seek a realistic reduction of 25% of the current market value.

Social housing: It is time for Social Welfare, the HSE and local council to approach landlords and developers and seek an agreement to use existing housing stock to decrease the housing list.

YOUTH

Setting up of full-time youth groups in Kells to coordinate and encourage social and recreational activities, which will help to counteract anti-social behaviour.

Peter looks forward to hearing the views of the people of Kells. He asks them to support his campaign for real change in the council chamber. Peter seeks to empower the local community in all aspects of political life.

ENDS