Kerry’s re-elected Sinn Féin chairperson wants to see young people build their lives in the county

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Kerry Sinn Féin’s 25-year-old chairperson says he wants to see more people build their lives in the county as he is re-elected this year.

Tralee native Daithí Fitzgerald is set to serve his second year following Sinn Féin’s AGM last month.

Mr Fitzgerald first joined the youth wing of the party at the age of 16 before becoming a junior ambassador for the European Union.

Despite being nearly in his 10th year of membership of Sinn Féin, he still awaits his graduation ceremony at DCU next month.

The presidential campaign ranks highly when he looks back at his first year as chairperson of the Kerry branch.

“We were key players across the county during the election,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

“I think that’s due to our membership, as well hitting the ground, basically running with cameras and social media and all that stuff.”

“It was very rewarding, and especially in a constituency where you have four government-supporting TDs and one TD in opposition, and you get a vote like that, it shows the strength on the ground.”

President Connolly won 63pc of the vote in Kerry during the presidential election last year while Heather Humphrey won 30pc.

Mr Fitzgerald also acknowledged there was a large section of the population who feel they aren’t represented in politics and stressed the need for grassroot campaigning.

“I’m trying to reach out to those people who feel like they've been left behind by politics…and show that there is an alternative to the status quo, that you can fight back and you can be part of something that can deliver change,” he said.

A big priority for him this year is to try and to encourage more young people to get involved in politics by making issues feel relevant to the county’s youth, while also building on last year’s foundations.

“The priority will be continuing to campaign on the issues that people raise every day, whether it's housing, cost of living, the lack of rural services.”

“And not just campaigning on it, but showing them the solutions that are there, our own solutions to these issues…I want to see people be able to build their lives in Kerry and not feel like they have to leave.”

“If we can help build stronger communities and give people hope that things can improve and show them the direction that we believe that things can improve…that's what motivates me with those priorities.”