belfast rep
10-30-2007, 03:25 PM
Charlene to become youngest councillor
by Jonathan Martin
Sinn Féin may soon have the youngest councillor in Ireland – if, as expected, the parties at Lisburn City Council agree to co-opt her into the chamber.
Charlene O'Hara (19) has been nominated by the party to take up the Dunmurry Cross seat vacated by MLA Jennifer McCann.
A student teacher at St Mary's University College, Charlene has been a member of Sinn Féin for just over a year and was active in Jennifer McCann’s successful election campaign.
Besides being one of the newest emerging lights in the party, Charlene helps out at the Drug and Alcohol Forum in the Colin area and also volunteers one night a week at the Sally Gardens Community Centre.
Speaking about the prospect of becoming a councillor, Charlene said she’s keen to carry on the good work of Jennifer McCann.
"I will represent all sections of the community of Dunmurry Cross equally and will do my utmost to address the issues that affect people in this area the most.
"One of my objectives is to get young people not only involved more in politics but in community projects also," she added.
Young people
Jennifer McCann said she was delighted to see not only a young person take up her seat, but also a woman as well.
"This is a very exciting time, not only for Sinn Féin but for Lisburn City Council as well," she said.
"We have Matthew McDermott from the SDLP, Sam Baker from Sinn Féin and now possibly Charlene among the councillors.
"It's great to see so many young people becoming involved in politics and it can only bode well for the future.”
Jennifer added that the reason she gave up her seat was because of Sinn Féin’s policy on dual mandates. She was this year elected an MLA for West Belfast.
"Sinn Féin believe in the concept of empowering people and don’t think that any councillor should have a dual mandate.
"The addition of Charlene for Dunmurry Cross will mean that we now have two MLAs and four councillors.
"She played an instrumental role in my election campaign in March and I can assure the Dunmurry Cross constituents that she will do a fine job for them," she added.
30/10/2007
by Jonathan Martin
Sinn Féin may soon have the youngest councillor in Ireland – if, as expected, the parties at Lisburn City Council agree to co-opt her into the chamber.
Charlene O'Hara (19) has been nominated by the party to take up the Dunmurry Cross seat vacated by MLA Jennifer McCann.
A student teacher at St Mary's University College, Charlene has been a member of Sinn Féin for just over a year and was active in Jennifer McCann’s successful election campaign.
Besides being one of the newest emerging lights in the party, Charlene helps out at the Drug and Alcohol Forum in the Colin area and also volunteers one night a week at the Sally Gardens Community Centre.
Speaking about the prospect of becoming a councillor, Charlene said she’s keen to carry on the good work of Jennifer McCann.
"I will represent all sections of the community of Dunmurry Cross equally and will do my utmost to address the issues that affect people in this area the most.
"One of my objectives is to get young people not only involved more in politics but in community projects also," she added.
Young people
Jennifer McCann said she was delighted to see not only a young person take up her seat, but also a woman as well.
"This is a very exciting time, not only for Sinn Féin but for Lisburn City Council as well," she said.
"We have Matthew McDermott from the SDLP, Sam Baker from Sinn Féin and now possibly Charlene among the councillors.
"It's great to see so many young people becoming involved in politics and it can only bode well for the future.”
Jennifer added that the reason she gave up her seat was because of Sinn Féin’s policy on dual mandates. She was this year elected an MLA for West Belfast.
"Sinn Féin believe in the concept of empowering people and don’t think that any councillor should have a dual mandate.
"The addition of Charlene for Dunmurry Cross will mean that we now have two MLAs and four councillors.
"She played an instrumental role in my election campaign in March and I can assure the Dunmurry Cross constituents that she will do a fine job for them," she added.
30/10/2007