New MLA vows to ‘work every day to better the lives’ of people in Newry & Armagh

Newry & Armagh’s newest MLA has vowed to “work every day to better the lives” of the constituency’s residents.

Aoife Finnegan has been selected by selected by Sinn Féin to fill the Assembly seat left vacant by Conor Murphy’s election to Seanad Éireann.

Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan signs her nomination papers along with recently elected Seanad Éireann Seanadóir Conor Murphy.

placeholder image — Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan signs her nomination papers along with recently elected Seanad Éireann Seanadóir Conor Murphy.

At a convention on Saturday, Sinn Féin members unanimously endorsed the now former Slieve Gullion councillor to represent Newry and Armagh in the Assembly.

A Crossmaglen woman, where she lives with her husband and children, she has been a Sinn Féin activist since she was a teenager.

Daire Hughes MP, Seanadóir Conor Murphy, Aoife Finnegan MLA, Minister Liz Kimmins MLA, Gerry Kelly MLA.

She is a past pupil of St. Joseph’s High School, St. Paul’s High School, Southern Regional College and has served as a Sinn Féin Councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down Council since 2020.

Working for many years in Conor Murphy’s constituency office, the party said Aoife “has supported countless workers and families on a range of issues such as welfare support and housing”.

Speaking following her selection, Aoife said she was “both delighted and honoured” to have been selected by Sinn Féin to represent Newry and Armagh in the Assembly.

"I want to thank all our local party activists for putting their trust in me as I take on this exciting new role,” she added.

“As a local councillor, I have worked tirelessly over many years to support workers and families and to ensure our community has access to the best possible facilities and opportunities.

“I am committed to continuing that work in the Assembly, where I will work every day to better the lives of the people in Newry and Armagh, and to strengthen public services.

“I look forward to working alongside the growing and dynamic all-island Sinn Féin team at this exciting time for politics on our island, with momentum for constitutional change continuing to grow.”

She also paid tribute to outgoing MLA and new Seanadóir, Conor Murphy.

“Conor has been a titan in Irish politics for over three decades, and he will now bring his wealth of experience and energy to Leinster House, placing Irish unity at the top of the agenda in the Senate,” Aoife concluded.