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

Councillor Janice Austin

Janice Austin is the city councillor for the greater New Barnsley and Turf Lodge areas within the lower Falls DEA.

She has been a member of Sinn Fein since 1974 and has worked on many campaigns and in many departments within the party.

Janice was active in the campaigns for decent housing, the Relatives Action Committee, the campaign for political status and the 80/81 hunger strike committee at both local and central level.

Janice was also involved in the campaign to release the 'Beechmount 5' who were imprisoned on false charges in the early 1990s.

She has been the director of elections for the party in the Beechmount, Cavendish and St James areas at different elections.

Janice was also a founder member of the Falls women's centre, the women's department of Sinn Fein and was instrumental in setting up Sinn Fein advice centres.

Janice was elected to Belfast city council in May 2005, topping the poll in the Lower Falls DEA when Sinn Fein took 5 out of 5 seats.

She has worked as a voluntary advice worker for Sinn Fein for 23 years.

Since being elected to Belfast city council Janice has been on the parks and leisure, health and environment and licensing sub committees.

She is also a member of the West Belfast Partnership Board.

Janice is involved with the Upper Springfield Safer Neighbourhood Forum, the Upper Springfield neighbourhood renewal housing, open spaces and environment sub-groups, the Whiterock Community Centre and the Holy Trinity Family Centre.

Janice was a member of the South Belfast District Policing Partnership from October 2007 to June 08 and has been a member of the West Belfast DPP from June 08.