West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Councillor Emma Groves

Upper Falls community activist Emma Groves (32) was born in Andersonstown.

Her grandmother, who Emma was named after, was blinded in her home in 1971 by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier and became a lifelong campaigner against the use of plastic bullets and for civil rights. Emma's mother Liz Groves is also a leading republican activist.

Emma comes from a family of strong republican women and has been involved in republican activism since a very young age. She went to Holy Child Primary School and St Genevieve's secondary school and joined Sinn Féin in her late teens.

She works in a GP's surgery in Ballyowen.

Emma has been consistently involved in the work of Sinn Féin in the Andersonstown area and has worked closely with outgoing councillor and personal friend Chrissie Mhic Giolla Mhín on projects aimed at improving the living standards and general environment for people in the local community.

Emma has welcomed the challenge of joining the Sinn Féin Upper Falls team in the Belfast City Council and is particularly interested in fighting for increased resources and facilities for young people in the local area.