Town councillor leaves Sinn Fein

[Maitiú]

Strabane councillor Gerard Foley has resigned from Sinn Fein.

Mr Foley, who was first elected in 2005, will continue to sit as an independent member on the County Tyrone council.

Mr Foley said his former colleagues tried to persuade him not to leave the party and rumours that claim he was pushed out were untrue.

"I'm still a councillor and I will continue to work hard to represent the people that elected me," he said.

"I took the decision myself, maybe in six-months I'll look back and think it was the wrong one but I can live with that."

In a statement the Sinn Fein group on Strabane District Council said they were "deeply disappointed and saddened at the announcement".

It continued: "While Gerard has not provided the party with any clear rationale for his decision we would nonetheless like to take this opportunity to thank him for his contribution both as a party activist and councillor, and wish him well for the future. "

Through the statement the party said they would expect Mr Foley to "honour the Sinn Fein mandate he was elected upon by making way for a party co-option".

BBC NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Town councillor leaves Sinn Fein

Its great to see that the West Tyrone PSF councillors have woken up and followed the PSF members from East Tyrone. Its about time if you ask me.

[Digout]

another person who cant handle the undemocratic nature of the click from west Belfast who run the party with an iron fist.

[Mr Crowley]

The Shinners are rather muted when it comes to defections in Tyrone. When highly regarded, former Mayor of Dungannon Barry Monteith resigned in disgust there was none of the public vitriol as heaped on Christy Burke. That is because Tyrone is the heartland and they are in tatters.

The bulk of East Tyrone has seen through the collaborationist profiteers and it is good to see the west of the county follow the lead.

It's about time that there was a genuine Republican party worthy of the support of the people of Tyrone.

[Maitiú]

Yes I agree, I also believe its only a matter of time before people start putting reality/pragmatism before dogmatism...and realise that Sinn Fein are not the party to achieve a United Ireland, they are money grabbing hypocrites

[Mr Crowley]

Yes I agree, I also believe its only a matter of time before people start putting reality/pragmatism before dogmatism...and realise that Sinn Fein are not the party to achieve a United Ireland, they are money grabbing hypocrites

Oh, they are far worse than that. Why do you think they weren't welcome in Galbally graveyard on Easter Sunday?

[factual]

This town councillor is already covered in another thread.

Here:
http://www.politics.ie/northern-irel...-policing.html

Mods - this thread should be closed.

[Pat Mc Larnon]

Mr Foley explained his motives in todays's Irish News, once again the truth is far removed from the ramblings of the liars on this thread.

[mmrebel]

Oh, they are far worse than that. Why do you think they weren't welcome in Galbally graveyard on Easter Sunday?

Any chance of these people leaving SF forming their own political grouping ?

[Maitiú]

Any chance of these people leaving SF forming their own political grouping ?

Well some members did, Eirigi

[KBK]

Sorry to spoil your SF bashing party boys but in case you were out of the country there was an election a month ago and cotton wool your ears while i tell you but yes SF topped the poll and are now the largest party in the 6 counties.This poll topping feat will be repeated in 10 months time when there will be a westminster election.So dream on in your pathetic little fantasy world.