Kilkenny county councillor leaves Labour to join Sinn Féin

A Kilkenny Councillor’s announced exclusively on KCLR Live that he’s left Labour and joined Sinn Féin.

SIPTU worker Denis Hynes was selected at the Labour Party Convention in February 2019 to run for a seat on the County Council after sitting North Kilkenny Labour councillor Maurice Shortall announced his intention to retire.

He was subsequently elected to the local authority.

He also ran in the 2020 General Election but failed to win a seat for the Carlow Kilkenny constituency. (Read the local branch statement on Cllr Hyne’s decision here).

Cllr Hynes was joined in studio by SF Deputy for Carlow and Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion for his chat with our Eimear Ní Bhraonáin – hear that in full here:

A statement from Sinn Féin as issued to KCLR:

“Cllr. Denis Hynes joins Sinn Féin

The Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle has today approved the Sinn Féin membership application of Kilkenny County Councillor Denis Hynes.

Sinn Féin TD for Carlow/Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion TD said:“I have known Cllr. Denis Hynes for many years and he is first class public representative.

“A tireless campaigner on behalf of workers and families, Denis is a fantastic addition to the Sinn Féin team and I look forward to working closely with him in the coming years.”Cllr. Denis Hynes said:

“I am very pleased to join Sinn Féin, because I firmly believe the party is genuinely committed delivering the type of change that Ireland needs.

“That means motions putting workers and families first, building homes, addressing the crisis in our health service, tackling the spiraling cost of living and we need to start planning for Irish Unity.

“I very much look forward to working with the party locally and nationally to deliver that change that’s required.”