by Alan Jacques
SINN Fein leader on Limerick City and County Council, Maurice Quinlivan, has welcomed controversial singer Sinead O’Connor’s announcement this week that she has applied to join his party.
The ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ star revealed on her blog that she planned to join the opposition party as she would “like to see a proper socialist Ireland”.
Cllr Quinlivan told the Limerick Post that O’Connor’s application comes at a time when Sinn Fein is growing both locally and nationally. This growth, he insists, was confirmed at the recent European and Local elections in May and continues with huge support displayed in many recent opinion polls.
“News that Sinead O’Connor has applied to join Sinn Fein is very welcome. Sinead’s support for equality and a united Ireland is nothing new,” the City North councillor commented.
“I first met her in Dublin in 1989 where she sang at a huge rally outside the British Embassy to mark the 20th Anniversary of the deployment of British troops in the North,” he revealed.
Cllr Quinlivan said he especially welcomed Sinead’s comments on the need to educate people like herself as to how they can help to bring about the changes which would “make every child equally cherished and make everyone have equal rights” as proclaimed in the 1916 proclamation. She also confirmed this week her belief that “the best way to revolt is vote”.
“Sinead’s application for membership is progressing and is indicative of the large number of new people especially younger people and women who now see Sinn Fein as the only real alternative to the failed policies of both Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and unfortunately implemented by the Labour Party. Our party now has the biggest support of any party in Ireland and continues to grow daily.”
Cllr Quinlivan insists that people who want a better Ireland and want to help in delivering that should make that change and join with Sinead O’Connor and thousands of others who recently applied to join Sinn Fein.
