O’Leary rides the wave of Sinn Féin support

THE new generation of Sinn Féin candidates, riding the crest of the party’s growing wave of support, would do well to remember the days when their percentage vote could be measured on one hand.

Anne O’Leary recalls those days only too well. On her first run as a Sinn Féin candidate in the 1992 general election, she barely registered in the final tally.

The 50-year-old teacher from Bantry, who was elected to the town council in 1999, is now challenging strongly for a seat on Cork County Council.