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Meath East

Eoin Holmes selected as Labour Meath East by-election candidate

Cllr Holmes spoke of the tragic circumstances in which the by-election is taking place, paying tribute to the late TD Shane McEntee.

LABOUR PARTY COUNCILLOR for Slane, and former Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Eoin Holmes, has been formally selected by the Labour Party as their candidate in the upcoming Meath East by-election.

The election will take place on 27 March and is to fill the seat vacated by the late TD Shane McEntee. It emerged earlier this week that the Labour Party was not due to hold its convention until the end of March, as senior figures in the party expected the election was not to be held for another month.

The selection took place in Asbourne this evening and was attended by Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, and local Labour Party TD for Meath East, Dominic Hannigan.

Cllr Holmes told the convention that as a self-employed small businessman he was aware of the challenges faced by all those trying to create and sustain employment in the current economic climate. He said that he fully supported Labour’s focus in Government on addressing the jobs crisis and wanted to bring his experience to bear on those efforts.

Cllr Holmes added:

First and foremost, this by-election is taking place in tragic circumstances. Shane McEntee was a true Meath-man – passionate about both his county and his work on behalf of its people. His good nature and warm personality are missed by all in the county.
I am not a political insider. Rather, I have real-life experience, running my own small business and trying to keep it operating in the worst of economic circumstances.

The film and TV producer, who also runs a small coffee shop business, said he wishes to play his part in building economic recovery and help bring more jobs and business to Meath East.

Tánaiste

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore said that Cllr Holmes “is someone who understands the reality of what Labour is trying to achieve in Government”.

Minister Joan Burton added: “As a father of four young children Eoin Holmes genuinely feels the burden that has been placed on families over recent years”.

Deputy Dominic Hannigan described Holmes as a “poll-topping councillor for Slane” who had reformed the manner in which Meath County Council did its work.

He added:

He knows there are many people in Meath East struggling with mortgage debt and that this remains one of the priority issues for Labour in Government.

Read: Helen McEntee confirmed as FG’s candidate for Meath East by-election>

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