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A Slieve Gullion Councillor has been selected by Sinn Féin to fill the Assembly seat left vacant by Conor Murphy’s election to Seanad Éireann.
Aoife Finnegan was selected by party members at a convention on Saturday who unanimously endorsed the Councillor to represent the constituency in the Assembly.
A past pupil of St. Joseph’s High School, St. Paul’s High School and Southern Regional College the new MLA served as a Sinn Féin Councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down Council since 2020.
Speaking after her selection the Crossmaglen woman said: “I am both delighted and honoured to have been selected by Sinn Féin to represent Newry and Armagh in the Assembly. I want to thank all our local party activists for putting their trust in me as I take on this exciting new role.
“As a local councillor, I have worked tirelessly over many years to support workers and families and to ensure our community has access to the best possible facilities and opportunities.
“I am committed to continuing that work in the Assembly, where I will work every day to better the lives of the people in Newry and Armagh, and to strengthen public services.
“I look forward to working alongside the growing and dynamic all-island Sinn Féin team at this exciting time for politics on our island, with momentum for constitutional change continuing to grow."
Paying tribute to outgoing MLA and new Seanadóir, Conor Murphy, Ms Finnegan who worked for many years in his constituency office said “Conor has been a titan in Irish politics for over three decades, and he will now bring his wealth of experience and energy to Leinster House, placing Irish unity at the top of the agenda in the Senate.”
