Fiann Fáil adds second candidate to contest general election in Laois

FIANNA Fáil has added Austin Stack to its election ticket in Laois and joins Minister of State Seán Fleming in the three seat constituency.

Mr Stack previously served as Assistant Governor in the Irish Prison Service where he developed a strong reputation as a Health and Safety expert. 

He has a MSc in Environmental Health and Safety and recently launched a new Health and Safety consultancy business in Portlaoise.

His father, Portlaoise Chief Prison Officer Brian Stack, was shot by the IRA in 1983 and died in hospital in 1984.

Mr Stack has campaigned relentlessly over the years since for justice for his murder.

Endorsing the Portlaoise native to contest the election in Laois Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said: “Austin is a very passionate advocate, as shown both by his campaigning for justice for his father, who was tragically murdered by the IRA, and locally, helping people in Portlaoise.

“I am delighted he has been added to the ticket. He has a proven track record of working with residents’ associations locally and is deeply rooted in his community. We have a well-balanced ticket in Laois with Austin and Seán and I believe we are in strong contention for two seats.” 

Mr Stack said: “I am honoured to have been added to the ticket in Laois for the General Election. I am hugely passionate about advocating for the people of Laois. Over the past decades, I have shown that I am not afraid of being a strong voice for people here and standing up for them. I am proud of my work on the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee, engaging residents associations and will continue this hard work on behalf of the people of Laois in the weeks ahead.”

“I will always fight for justice and for fairness. If elected to Dáil Éireann I will continue this and be a relentlessly strong voice for our community at a national level,” said Mr Stack.

There are now 10 candidates who have announced their intention to contest the election on 29 December in the Laois constituency. Along with the two Fianna Fáil candidates there are Elaine Mullally (Independent), Rosie Palmer (Green Party), Willie Aird (Fine Gael), Mary Hand (Aontú), Ken Mooney (People Before Profit), Maria McCormack (Sinn Féin), Aisling Moran (Independent) and Brian Stanley (Independent Republican).