Independent councillor who has joined Sinn Féin says he believes the move is ‘mutually beneficial’
By Mary Dennehy
INDEPENDENT councillor Dermot Richardson has this week joined Sinn Féin, with the Tallaght businessman becoming the tenth Sinn Féin representative on South Dublin County Council.
On Tuesday, Cllr Richardson officially joined Sinn Féin after considering the move for some time – with his decision resulting in Sinn Féin now holding five of the 12 council seats allocated to the wards of Tallaght South and Tallaght Central.
Cllr Richardson, who represents the Tallaght South ward, said: “I am delighted to announce that I have joined Sinn Féin as of April 19 in this historic year of the Centenary of the Easter Rising.
“I have worked with Sinn Féin since being elected to South Dublin County Council and this was an easy decision after speaking with [Sinn Féin] group leader, Cllr Cathal King.
“Coming from a working-class family, the only party that represents the working class as I see it is Sinn Féin.
“I want to be a stronger voice for the people of Tallaght South and to build a stronger Sinn Féin in South Dublin that forms part of a wider stronger Sinn Féin.
“I believe this move is mutually beneficial for both myself and my new Party Sinn Féin.”
When asked by The Echo if he believed his supporters would be surprised by the move, Cllr Richardson said that his policies are quite similar to those of Sinn Féin and that he has always worked closely with the party on various issues within the communities.
Sinn Féin group leader on South Dublin County Council, Cllr Cathal King said: “I have known Dermot Since 2002 when we worked closely on the Sinn Féin general election campaign, successfully electing Sean Crowe to Dáil Éireann for the first time.
“Dermot has remained close to the party since then and has worked tirelessly with the team since his election to the council in 2014.”
Cllr Richardson fellow Sinn Féin councillor in Tallaght South, Cllr Louise Dunne said that she has worked closely on community issues with Cllr Richardson, who owns Tallaght Adventure World and is part of the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
She said: “I have worked closely with Dermot and Cllr Cathal King on a range of issues, working together to improve services and amenities in the community.
“Dermot has proven himself to be a loud and vocal voice for those that otherwise wouldn’t have one.”
Cllr Richardson’s move now sees ten Sinn Féin councillors representing Tallaght South, Tallaght Central, Rathfarnham, Templeogue/Terenure, Clondalkin and Lucan on South Dublin County Council.
