Omagh Town councillor Sorcha McAnespy has dramatically resigned from Sinn Féin and says she now intends to run as an independent candidate against her former party colleagues in the Assembly election in May.

The former vice-chair of Omagh District Council said she made the shock decision because she was “left in an untenable position at local level” by Sinn Féin councillors and other members of the party.


She accused them of sidelining her as well as blocking her progress in Sinn Féin, while opening up positions to newer members with less experience and credentials.

However the mother-of-three, who was first elected as a councillor back in 2011, told the Ulster Herald that she has “no beef with the political analysis” of Sinn Féin and her difficulties were at a local level within the party.

She said, “So many things have happened. I am not been allowed to carry out the work I have been elected to do for my constituents and my progression has been blocked every way I turn and that is to the detriment of the local area.

“It is very disappointing when you put your heart and soul into something and do everything above board and by the book yet not get support or recognition.”

‘INADEQUATE SUPPORT’

Ms McAnespy highlighted her concerns to the party but said she did not feel she received adequate support.

She added, “I have tried to get this addressed so many times. I also tried to deal with it myself and put my head down and do my work to represent my constituents as best I can.


“I have proved myself in elections and on Omagh Council. There should have been no question of me standing for Sinn Féin in 2014, however I just about got selected and nearly didn’t get out of the Sinn Féin traps.

“Now I feel I just have to move on. It has got to a stage were I often don’t know where a lot of decisions have been made even though I was at the last party meeting.”

Cllr McAnespy believes she can win a seat at the Assembly. Sinn Féin currently has three MLAs but are hoping to increase that in May and have fielded four candidates.

However, Cllr McAnespy’s decision to run as an independent could eat into the Sinn Féin vote.

“I have as good a chance as anyone of being elected,” she said. “My work speaks for itself. I feel West Tyrone areas like Fintona, Dromore, Trillick, Tattyreagh and Beragh have been forgotten about during the last few years. We need to ensure a strong pride of place and put the Omagh district back on the map.’

A Sinn Féin spokesperson expressed “disappointment” at Cllr McAnespy’s decision to leave the party.

He said, “We thank her for her service. Sinn Féin’s team of candidates for West Tyrone in the upcoming Assembly election were selected by the delegates of the party at an open and democratic selection convention. Sinn Féin will put our programme for progressive politics and for Irish Unity before the people of West Tyrone at next month’s election.”

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