Resignation statement from Joe Kelly

Wednesday, 9th May 2012

Long standing Sinn Fein member Davy Lane responds to resignation statement from Joe Kelly

I wish to put on the record that Sinn Fein received a resignation letter from Joe Kelly on the 3rd December of last year. I am curious as to why he has now issued a Press statement. The statement issued by Joe contains a number of inaccuracies of which I want to correct.

Joe states that David Cullinane stood down as party organiser following the last Local elections and was replaced by a relatively new party member. In fact David stepped down from this position following his election to the Seanad and was replaced by the party's local Chairperson and Director of Elections.

Joe also indicated that the party chose an inexperienced member to replace David on the City Council and stated that the Party acted undemocratically. As the person who formally nominated Joe as David's'replacement and who oversaw the running of the Convention I strongly disagree with Joe's assertions. All members of the party had a vote and scrutinisers were elected from the floor. The process was fair and democratic and the party made its' decision. Far from electing an inexperienced member the party chose a long standing and active member and local Community activist Cllr. John Hearne.

Finally, Sinn Féin regrets the resignation of any member and wishes Joe well.