We are ‘relevant, Republican, and rooted’

If Sinn Féin are bothered about national polls it's not any that pitches them in a popularity points contest with their political rivals.

It's been 27 years since Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin took the party's first seat in the 1997 Irish general election. That was in Cavan-Monaghan, and represented the only time Sinn Féin had got a candidate elected to Dáil Éireann in its then 75 year history.

Now the 33rd Dáil, the party has 35 sitting Sinn Féin TDs - down two from the last election as a result of the resignation of Violet-Anne Wynne in Clare; and Carlow-Kilkenny's Kathleen Funchion's elevation to Europe.

So the party is no stranger to playing the long game, and its focus remains on reunification.

Sinn Fein now represent the largest political party on the island of Ireland, a position best summed up by newly elected Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen convening the Cavan-Monaghan selection in Cootehill last Tuesday, September 3.

She received a standing ovation at her introduction by Ó Caoláin who, despite retiring in 2020 after almost 23 years in politics, still remains an influential figure among grass roots in the constituency and beyond.

As it turned out the convention was a simple formality. Sinn Féin has two sitting TDs in Pauline Tully in Cavan and Matt Carthy in Monaghan. Last time out, together they polled more than a third of the overall vote (36.7%), with Carthy elected in the first count (16,310 first preferences), and Tully in the second (13,457).

With the exception of Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys (17.7%/ 12,808), no other local candidate came remotely close to beating them.

The Cavan-Monaghan convention was the last to be held in the Sinn Féin's North Leinster Cúige. There is an air of expectation that an election is in the offing with the smart money on November 15, though it must be held by March 2025.

Everyone who gathered at the Errigal House Hotel feels as much. Addressing the crowd, which included local councillors from both counties, Ó Caoláin urged the party faithful “to be ready” if a snap election is called.

Only two nominations were received in the end. For Tully, from the Tony Gormley Cumann in Ballyjamesduff; Kieran Doherty Cumman, Bailieborough; Cavan Town; Virginia-Mullagh; Edward Boylan/Joe Ennis; Kilnaleck; Pat Rehill and the Cavan CC.

She was proposed by former Cavan County Councillor for nearly 20 years, Paddy McDonald, and seconded by current local elected rep in the Ballyjamesduff area, Cllr Noel Connell.

Both spoke to her many virtues as a candidate, McDonald describing her as an “inspiration” while Connell said she had been “outstanding” as a TD and before that a county councillor.

Carthy's nomination meanwhile came from the Tony Ahern cumman in Clones; John Francis Green in Castleblayney; Castleblayney and Monaghan CC; and Keelan Doherty of Carrickmacross.

Cathy Bennett, in proposing his selection, credited Carthy as being a figurehead to Sinn Féin's remarkable modern day rise in Monaghan. From being the youngest elected representative in the country at 21 years old in 1999 on Carrickmacross Town Council, to becoming mayor of Monaghan County Council in 2008, he went on to win 17.7% of first-preference votes in the 2014 European Parliament election. She stated her belief, behind Carthy and Tully, that Sinn Féin's position in politics would “continue to grow”.

“Sinn Féin are the party of the people. We are relevant, we are Republican, and we are rooted in our communities,” rallied Bennett.

The proposal that Carthy stand in Monaghan again for the party was seconded by colleague Noel Keelan who stated that their candidate had been a “first class” representative regardless of brief, adding his confidence that the chosen pair would take the party's “Republican struggle” forward.

“I think we've two great candidates here, in Matt Carthy and Pauline Tully, and with people like that you can't go far wrong.”

The nominated candidates themselves thanked the party members for the backing they'd received.

Along with various policy titbits, Tully and Carthy also paid tribute to their respective families- Tully to her two boys Pearse and Eoghan; and Carthy to his wife Lynn and five children.

“They mean the world to me and their happiness and well being are the most important thing to me,” said Tully of her sons.

“I want a better Ireland for them and for future generations to live in where they can progress and where opportunities exist, and they can realise their dreams. We have a fight on our hands, but it is one we can win.”

Tully stated that Sinn Féin engages with everyone on the island regardless of “politics, religion or nationality” to persuade them a united Ireland is the “best option” for the people on this island.

“No British government has ever cared about the people of this country unless to use them when they saw fit. We cannot let this opportunity slip. Our ultimate goal is within touching distance.”

Carthy, meanwhile, said he was asking the people of the constituency to allow him once again be their voice in Leinster House.

He suggested Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael “think they will waltz back into government” with likely support from Independents, and accused them of always being there for a ribbon cutting when a new factory opens, but “nowhere to be found if a company closes; nowhere to be found when the families of children with disabilities are crying out for services.”

Carthy added that Sinn Féin's vision is “goes beyond partition”, and is about planning for a “better, fairer and united Ireland".

Indeed, in this closing remarks Ó Caoláin said he hoped to be welcoming Cullen as a TD for Fermanagh and South Tyrone as part of an All Ireland parliament.

Question of a third candidate

Speaking to the Celt after, he remained coy as to whether Sinn Féin would yet stand a third candidate in Cavan-Monaghan.

“We're considering all our options. At this moment the sensible decision was to confirm our two outgoing candidates. What will happen in the time ahead, that's something that will show itself at the appropriate time, if at all. So we'll wait and see.”

He concluded by stating that Sinn Féin have to take a “realistic measure” of the recent local and European election results and assessments would be made, not only in Cavan-Monaghan, but across the other 43 constituencies also “in preparation for Sinn Féin in government”.