With TD Sandra McLellan safely ensconced in the eastern part of the constituency and June Murphy recently elected a councillor for the Fermoy Electoral Area, things are progressing nicely for Sinn Fein.

Still finding her feet as a councillor, newcomer June is proving to be a quick learner and has thrown herself enthusiastically into the role of public representative. Obviously not afraid to get stuck in, one of her first meaningful political contributions was to question whether the €6,000 annual allowance to newly appointed Fermoy Electoral Area chairman, Cllr. Noel McCarthy was merited - June is on record as saying the sum is excessive.

June took time out from the hurly burly of politics recently night to celebrate her 40th birthday in Walsh's Bar, Mitchelstown. In keeping with the occasion, there was a relaxed atmosphere with the occasion also doubling as a 'thank you' night for June's canvassing team, who wore out a lot of shoe leather on her behalf in the run up to the local elections. June said her team had done fantastic work and she thanked them sincerely.

The evening couldn't lay claim to being free of politics as June made a point of inviting her good friend, Arnie O'Connell to speak. Arnie, 'a life-long republican', said Sinn Fein was presenting a real alternative to the politics of austerity and called on more people to get involved with a party that was 'working for real and substantive change'. He went on to have a cut off the Government parties and John Bruton's revisionist approach to 1916 and its aftermath. June said that Arnie was a great source of inspiration to her.

There may be plenty political battles to come, but for now, June Murphy's star is on the rise and with strong community support behind her, political life could be just beginning at 40. 

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