Adams rallies Sinn Féin activists
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams tonight travelled to Cork city to rally party activists ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
He earlier gathered with cross-border parliamentary representatives in Dublin to discuss selecting candidates and plotting its campaign strategy.
Attending a gala dinner this evening in the 2005 European City of Culture Mr Adams addressed the Munster branch of the party.
It is one of several nationwide events to celebrate the centenary of the party’s foundation in 1905.
Co Kerry councillor Toireasa Ni Fhearaiosa said Cork’s “Rebel County” nickname reflected the part it played in the republican struggle against centuries of English rule.
“Republicans look forward to the future and a time when the republican ideals of an Ireland free from foreign domination look all the more possible to achieve,” she said.
Today’s meeting in Dublin was the first get-together of the party since May’s General Election in Northern Ireland when the party gained five MPS and 126 local council seats.
Mr Adams said: “We’re up for an election. The sooner the people have their opportunity to vote, the better for everybody.”
The party discussed plans for forthcoming public campaigns on health and education.
The party also plans to use its centenary year to canvass support for a Government Green Paper on Irish unity and speaking rights for senior party figures in the Dáil and Seanad.
