Dublin 15 Independents declare election ambitions

TWO new independent candidates from Dublin 15 have declared their intention to contest next year’s local elections.

Lorna Nolan (42) from Huntstown has announced she’ll be running in the Mulhuddart ward during the elections due to take place in May 2014.

Nolan has been involved in local campaigns for tax justice for working people and better local services. She works in the Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living (BCIL) and is actively involved in several projects in the Dublin 15 area.

She recently received a Certificate of Recognition as a Registered Trainer of Safe Talk (suicide alertness training) and is also helping to raise funds for Genesis community counselling service based in Corduff, serving the Dublin 15 region, as part of her community work.

“Through my work in the community I see first hand the impact of Government cuts particularly on families,

? Nolan said.

“Government policy is having a disastrous impact on our communities, our local economy and the mental health of our citizens.

“As a woman, as a mother and as someone campaigning to make Dublin 15 a decent place to live I have decided to contest the next local elections. Instead of fighting between political parties we need to make community come first.

“Local residents know what is best for their area and I want to support and empower them instead of the top-down treatment dished out to communities by Fingal County Council

?.

Nolan’s campaign will be supported by local TD Patrick Nulty who said:

“Lorna is an outstanding community activist. I am delighted to support her campaign to be elected in the Mulhuddart ward at the next local election.

?

Also in Dublin 15, local teacher TJ Clare (23) has declared his intention to run as an Independent in the Castleknock ward.

Clare is a primary school teacher at Scoil Bhríde Boys’ National School in Blanchardstown village and has lived in the area for the past six years.

He has been involved in co-ordinating campaigns against cuts to educational supports for young people and wants to lobby for extra resources for special education supports.

“Like many citizens I feel none of the four established political parties properly represent the ideas, values and policies that our community needs,

? he said.

“As someone working in education I have seen first-hand the dreadful impact austerity has had on our society. I am contesting this election to challenge the cosy consensus that exists between the political parties and Fingal County Council management, and to promote alternatives to austerity.

?

Clare says he’ll be campaigning for better quality public transport, an action plan to tackle the massive waiting list for local authority housing and the development and protection of green spaces.