POLITICAL pressure group Republican Network for Unity has announced it intends to stand candidates in next year's local government elections. The group which officially registered as a political party earlier this year has said it will field two candidates in both north and west Belfast. Father-of-five Sammy Cusick (41) is to stand in the Oldpark area of north Belfast. A second candidate, 23-year-old Tommy Doherty, will stand in the Lower Falls ward in west Belfast. In March of this year RNU indicated that they were considering running candidates in future elections on both sides of the border. The group laid out its stall by publishing two documents 'Revolutionary Republicanism', and 'Standing Outside The Peace Process' which indicated a future political direction that included the possibility of fielding political candidates.The documents state that the Good Friday Agreement is failing and that an alternative is needed. The party denies that it is linked to dissident paramilitary group Oglaigh na hEireann, however, would provide financial assistance and support to prisoners aligned to ONH and their families.
? VOTE: Left, Sammy Cusick and Tommy Doherty will stand for Republican Network for Unity in next year's council elections