Citizenship rule bars candidate

A PENSIONER who led a one-day Mass boycott last year over the Catholic Church’s treatment of women has been forced to withdraw from the general election race — because she is not an Irish citizen.

Jennifer Sleeman, 81, an English-born life-long environmentalist who was unveiled last week as a Green Party candidate in Cork South West, said while she is very disappointed, she is somewhat relieved, but feels she has let the party down.

“I have lived here for 54 years and have been perfectly happy. I haven’t ever applied for citizenship. It just never crossed my mind.”