Plans to create a new political party under way
THREE County Councillors expelled from Sinn Fein in September are in the early stages of forming their own party.
Councillors Gerry O’Neill, John Snell and Oliver O’Brien have already held a number of formal meetings about the formation of a new party which would adhere to their Republican principles.
It has also been announced that Rossa Murray, a former member elected member of the old Bray Town Council, has also been recruited.
Cllr O’Neill said: ‘We are still organising ourselves and will be taking our time. It may be early days but myself, Cllr Snell and Cllr O’Brien will all be working together.
‘We will be noticeable as the one group. Rossa Murray is on board now as well and we also have potential candidates from Rathdrum and Arklow.’
While the alliance may be in the early stages, it looks likely that the formation of the new party won’t just be restricted to Wicklow, with talks also taking place amongst other former disfranchised members of Sinn Fein.
‘People have shown interest in a national party. There are 16 counties in all where there are serious issues with Sinn Fein at the moment.’
Cllr O’Neill said some of the disenfranchised members of Sinn Fein were ‘engaging in discussions’ and described them as being ‘of the same mind’ as himself, Cllrs Snell and O’Brien and Mr Murray.