COUNCILLOR Toireasa Ferris was selected by the Sinn Féin membership to go forward as the party’s next general election candidate in Kerry, at a packed party convention held on Friday night at the Kerins O’Rahillys club.

She was nominated by a number of cumainn in the county. The convention was being held as a result of the announcement by Deputy Martin Ferris that he would not be seeking a nomination. Toireasa Ferris was the only name to be put forward by the membership in the county.

Toireasa Ferris said; “I am humbled to be selected by my friends and comrades in Kerry Sinn Fein to represent them in the next general election. I want to thank all who encouraged me to put my name forward and will work my hardest to live up to their expectations.

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“I am under no illusions of how difficult it will be to retain a seat for Sinn Féin in Kerry, the last election proved how difficult a challenge it will be. I am acutely aware of the issues that are affecting the people of Kerry, from lack of meaningful employment and under resourced health services to coastal erosion and rural depopulation, our road network still leaves a lot to be desired and many of our youth feel disenfranchised for good reason.”

Donegal Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty was the guest speaker on the night and he firstly paid tribute to Martin Ferris who he said was a role model for him since he first entered the Dáil. He also welcomed the selection of his close friend Toireasa Ferris as a candidate in the next general election.

He said; “I have known Toireasa Ferris for nearly 20 years and in that time I have known that she is a committed and conscientious public representative, in fact while on her way to the convention tonight she got delayed as she stopped to try and ensure that two homeless persons she met were accommodated in a local homeless shelter.”

“Toireasa Ferris is a unique candidate who has the dedication, passion and ability to be a fantastic TD for Kerry. I look forward to working with Toireasa and others to build a Republic that we can all be proud of and where everyone will be treated equally.”

Toireasa Ferris ended the meeting by thanking her husband Pa and her family for their support.