Waterford Sinn Fein has decided to back Claire Cullen Delsol for the vacant seat on Waterford Council.

Independent Councillor Mary Roche stepped down from the local authority at the end of November and her seat is set to be filled at this Thursday’s Plenary meeting.

She nominated cardiac campaigner Matt Shanahan however the legislation for co-opting only covers political parties

Sinn Fein’s Declan Clune says they will be voting for abortion rights campaigner Claire Cullen Delsol.

He believes more female representation is needed on Waterford Council.

34 year old Claire Cullen Del Sol shot to prominence locally and nationally during last year’s referendum campaign to Repeal the 8th amendment.

Claire says the experience of the Repeal Campaign has motivated a lot people.

She says that a lot of other issues came to the fore during the Repeal campaign and they saw a huge lack of services in so many areas across the political divide and across the communities.