READ MORE- Irish woman calling for Mass boycott receives international support
READ MORE- 81-year-old who started Mass boycott will run in Ireland’s elections
A Cork pensioner who organized a Mass boycott last year over the Catholic church’s treatment of women has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming election as she is not an Irish citizen.
Jennifer Sleeman, a lifelong environmentalist, was unveiled last week as a Green Party candidate in Cork South West constituency.
However the 81-year-old was born in the UK and despite living in Ireland for over five decades did not acquire citizenship; as a result she cannot qualify as a candidate.
Speaking about being forced to withdraw, the grandmother said she was somewhat relieved but feels that she 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."
The issue emerged in the when the Green Party attempted to process her candidacy papers. Despite citizenship not being required for those running in local or European elections, candidates running for Dail elections are required to be citizens of Ireland.
Dan Boyle, the chairman of the party said: "She just never took out Irish citizenship. We made an assumption but, sometimes, you just don’t get the breaks."
When asked if they party could fast track an application for citizenship for Sleeman, he ruled it out, saying it would be “an abuse of the process”.
Sleeman is a founding member of the Green Party and resides in Clonakilty.
Speaking from her home, she told the Irish Examiner, she felt the party have been tainted by its time in government.
LINK- http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/citizenship-rule-bars-candidate-144006.html#ixzz1CprJmUFo
"They did their best, given the circumstances. But I think they have been slightly tainted," she said. "I hope people realise they did their best, and their policies are excellent. We waited a long time to get into government. It would be sad if we don’t get some seats after this election."
READ MORE- Irish woman calling for Mass boycott receives international support
READ MORE- 81-year-old who started Mass boycott will run in Ireland’s elections
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.sirpeter | Feb 04, 2011, 09:59 PM EST
Creaky..It not about been civil..It's about your public grovelling to a Staff Writer on an article,which states that this woman is plucky/has courage. This woman had no business calling for a public boycott of a small parish church. She is a nobody.An English blow in.Trying to stir up trouble in a very close knit community. That's exactly what she is..a troublemaker. I have a summer house in Clon,I know the kind of people they are,there is not a better community in west cork and they don't need the likes of her. I don't like these articles. They keep picking out articles that's only function is to undermine and disrespect every Catholic Priest around the world,over a few rotten apples. NO!! Creaky..I don't have to be civil about it at all.Because there is a price to be payed. I will attack injustice where i see it. IrishCentral promotes this undermining,without posting the good things the priests do around the world,as a counter-balance. I know Molly is just the messenger...But this is my message,because she asked me what i think about it. I'm sure Molly can look after herself...After all it was only that fool WoundedKnee.
Towngate | Feb 04, 2011, 08:59 PM EST
"CIVILITY COSTS NOTHING" - and still you can't afford it!
sirpeter | Feb 04, 2011, 07:51 PM EST
Creakygate..You reveal so much of your personality on this forum Creaky. If you not licking the Brits,you're licking Staff Writer's on IrishCentral.I'd say at this stage your tongue trails along the ground...The Greens must be thick stupid. To try and put this women forward in the first place.Clonakilty is very Catholic and very Republican. They wouldn't have supported her in a million years. Talked to Dan Boyle a good few times,he's just a very average guy,he's below average after this,how he could even think of putting her name forward or even be seen to support her.An English women who called for a boycott of the church mass in Clon of all places,and then to find out she is not even a citizen.Creaky all our politicians are infected with your virus "The Brit licking virus"..It's like mad cow disease...It effects the brain.
londonirish1965 | Feb 04, 2011, 04:42 PM EST
Maybe she can run for office in Israel -on a boycot the synagogue ticket...
Towngate | Feb 04, 2011, 03:03 PM EST
MOLLY! FEAR NOT! (Not that you were,I'm sure!) My old mucker 'Wounded', here, has obviously had a bad day, but does make some good - if a little ungallant - points. I posted previously that Mrs Sleeman would have saved Ireland from 23 superfluous human entities despoiling our planet,by keeping her 'hand on her ha'penny' years ago! So I am not a fan. She seems a game old stick,though,and after she feeds the hens, puts the cow in the shed, and finds her knitting regimen is 'between ganseys' for the Kids, sure she may as well have a pop at preying on Prayers and politics! I am not sure about his suggesting Ireland was a British(?)Colony. Naaaa,never! Colonies are nice warm sunny places full of smiling willing people delighted to greet you and grateful for all the sophisticated technical scientific and medical developments,Christianity, Education, and Instruments of State and a lovely Flag to flutter above it all! Naaaa... although she obviously loved where she lived, I can't imagine she ever could have thought she was in 'The Colonies'! So chin up, Molly and take no notice; it seems poor old 'Wounded' could do with a bit of sun on his back... ~~~ (or a 'lick of the Cat' for his discourtesy!)
WoundedKnee | Feb 04, 2011, 10:53 AM EST
What an inane headline. It's just more garbage from Irish Central. There's nothing "plucky" about this woman. What did she do that was "plucky"? Organize a boycott of Mass for those who never go to Mass? When was the last time the "aul wan" as they call her in Dublin, crossed the door of a Catholic Church? It's all idiotic hypocrisy, aided by the inane writer Muldoon. Grow up, Muldoon, and stop your ignorant interference in Irish Catholic affairs. The same goes for the old English woman, who had half a century to declare her identification with Ireland, but pointedly failed to do so. Now the fawning from such nitwits as Muldoon got into the old woman's head and she thought she could run for parliament in "the colonies". The Irish had 800 years of English telling them what to do, she figured she'd continue that tradition. No more, go raibh maith agaibh. Buzz off Muldoon and the other old woman!
Towngate | Feb 04, 2011, 09:06 AM EST
SHE SHOULD have had a word with 'POTUSA' Obama - - - !