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81-year-old who started Mass boycott will run in Ireland’s elections

Mother of six to contest election

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, January 28, 2011, 4:45 AM

Updated Friday, January 28, 2011, 4:45 AM

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Jennifer Sleeman

The Cork woman who originally called for people to boycott Sunday Mass has announced she will run in the upcoming general election in Ireland for the Green Party.

Jennifer Sleeman from Clonakilty will run as a Green Party candidate after accepting an invitation to represent the party in Cork South West.

A long-time member of the party, the 81-year-old counts climate change and over-dependence on fossil fuels as her top priorities.

“I support the Greens because they are the party that gives priority to things I think are important for my children’s future,” she said.

Sleeman, who has six children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, intends to run as a paper candidate, which means she will not canvas doorsteps or appear in posters during the run up to the election.

A well known environmentalist, the Cork woman played an instrumental role in securing Clonakilty as the first Fair Trade town in Ireland.

Nster.com

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WoundedKnee | Feb 03, 2011, 01:27 AM EST

You couldn't make this up. Word from Ireland is that Sleeman cannot contest the election. Because she's not Irish! Mrs Ginnty, do you feel foolish now for supporting this woman?

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sirpeter | Jan 31, 2011, 08:08 PM EST

OK Jacers..Didn't know..I'm not one to be rude to elderly women under any circumstances..Cheers for that!!

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jacersagain | Jan 31, 2011, 02:46 PM EST

@ barneyjo on 29th – I noticed the mistypo in yr post as I’m sure many others did. I think you meant “... fared better as an independent dentures candidate”. All talk and no bite, eh? ;-)

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jacersagain | Jan 31, 2011, 02:40 PM EST

Say hear Wou’knee & sirpeter: mamaginnty is an elderly lady who looks after her very sick bedridden husband and only posts when he’s resting. She told us so two days ago under ‘New media and blogs catching on in Ireland’ under Danny Boy’s blog on ICentral. Show some respect please; she’s as entitled as anyone to her opinions and, like anyone else’s, not to be belittled. Her opinions can be discussed or argued ‘For’ or ‘Against’, even with a bit of teasing but certainly not for insulting. Bantering is ok with her and you can bet your little bippy she’ll give as good as she gets in that field!

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WoundedKnee | Jan 31, 2011, 01:01 PM EST

mamaginnty: Are you married to the comedian Noel V Ginnty? I saw his act in Dublin once. Corny, but I enjoyed it. Little guy, he looks like a leprechaun. I hope you don't henpeck him.

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sirpeter | Jan 30, 2011, 08:26 PM EST

Jennifer Sleeman..The old bat...Queote"81-year-old counts climate change and over-dependence on fossil fuels as her top priorities"Unquoet. With her free and electric. These greens make me sick...Save the planet!! Then they fill up the car with petrol and drive home..Turn on the heating and flick the switch to the TV. She's a fossil herself.

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sirpeter | Jan 30, 2011, 08:11 PM EST

Maginty's Goat..Doesn't like verbal abuse and she likes pointing it out to posters. She's a woman on a mission..Poor pappaginnty...I can see him getting scolded like a naughty little boy for using naughty words..But i bet when she goes out of the room..He says...BIT*H!!

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WoundedKnee | Jan 30, 2011, 08:33 AM EST

mamaginnty ---That's a really stupid post by you. Only a fool such as you would think it "abuse" to predict that this woman's electoral performance will be as big a flop as was her Mass "boycott" (which was only adhered to by people who don't go to Mass!) What a dope you are, mamaginnty. Will you apologize for your silly insolence when the election results show this woman getting less than 5% of the vote?

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Towngate | Jan 30, 2011, 04:45 AM EST

AS FOR SLEEMAN: If she had the courage of her convictions,and controlled her baser instincts, there would at least twenty-one less consumers clogging up the planet and wasting our resources.

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Towngate | Jan 30, 2011, 04:37 AM EST

THERE ARE A FEW posters here who could run for the "Pot Calling the Kettle" Party!

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barneyjo | Jan 29, 2011, 05:42 PM EST

I think she would have fared better as an Indepdndent candidate!!

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mamaginnty | Jan 29, 2011, 02:01 PM EST

ggod luck to her...at 81 great to see. Woundedknee and Katiemac the only way ye might get yer names in the paper is for Verbal Abuse if ye live that long.

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patcharles8450 | Jan 28, 2011, 08:31 PM EST

More power o her

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 28, 2011, 12:32 PM EST

katiemac: You may not agree with this woman--I certainly don't--but shouting abuse is no answer. She has a right to run for election.

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sroneil | Jan 28, 2011, 10:14 AM EST

GO GO JENNY!!! WISH I COULD VOTE FOR YOU...

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