The 2024 Local Elections are fast approaching and things are heating across the county ahead of polling day on June 7.
Wexford TD to launch Portlaoise candidate’s campaign
Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy will launch the election campaign of Portlaoise candidate Pauline Flanagan this coming Thursday, April 11, in the Parish Centre in Portlaoise.
Flanagan, who ran under her maiden name Madigan in the 2019 Local Elections for Fianna Fáil, declared her intention to run as an independent last year after missing out on the FF nomination.
A General Election candidate for FF in 2020, she held a council seat in 2019-2020 following the death of Jerry Lodge in Portlaoise.
Indeed there are certain parallels between Flanagan and Verona Murphy, the Wexford candidate who is coming to Portlaoise to officially launch her campaign.
Murphy was unsuccessful as a Fine Gael candidate in the 2019 by-election in Wexford – but won a seat only a couple of months later in the General Election as an independent.
She has been a sitting TD for the Wexford constituency for the past five years.
The launch takes place in the Portlaoise Parish Centre from 7pm-8pm this Thursday, April 11. Refreshments served. All welcome.
For further details you can contact Pauline Flanagan on 087 9984574 or email flanagan1.pauline@gmail.com.
Calls for improved bus routes for ‘the Laois side of Graiguecullen’
One local candidate for Laois County Council has called for a Public Transport and Active Travel plan for Graiguecullen.
Labour Candidate, Eoin Barry has stated that the current provision of Public Transport and active travel routes in Graiguecullen is inadequate.
“The current provision of a public bus routes in Graiguecullen is inadequate to meet the needs of the people living in the area,” Mr Barry said.
“Recently a town bus has started locally, but the Laois side of Graiguecullen is poorly served by the routes selected, with (several housing estates) far from the nearest stop.
“Despite significant government funding for the service there is no stops near St Fiacc’s National School, Shamrock Business Park or near Saplings School which is due to open in the near future.
“This has a significant impact on local people and reduces the ability of people to access shops and services locally and is particularly impactful on those with reduced mobility or without access to a car.
“To add insult to injury we know that Graiguecullen received none of the recently allocated €3 million in funding for active travel grants which was provided to County Laois.
“The grant was badly needed to provide cycle lanes on the N80 and on the road to the school.
“Increased public transport and Cycle lanes are needed to help reduce the significant traffic issues which are present in the area particularly at the junction at the Leighlin road.
“With the expanded orbital road not likely to happen for many years it is clear that an active travel and public transport plan is needed now.
“This is just another example of the failure of our councillors to deliver for people in our area over the last five years. We have made a submission calling for expanded public transport and active travel in Graiguecullen in the Development plan.
“If I am elected in the local election on June 7th I will work to ensure Graiguecullen gets its fair share of funding based on its growing population.”
Timahoe welcome for Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice
Meanwhile, Patsy Fennell, of the newly formed Independent Ireland party has been getting out and about after announcing his candidacy and recently welcomed Galway-Roscommon Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice to his shop in Timahoe.
It was announced late last month that Mr Fennell would be contesting the June 7 Local Elections.
Photographer Alf Harvey was on hand to capture a couple of great images from the visit where Fitzmaurice received the wholesome Timahoe hospitality while meeting and greeting locals.
Fitzmaurice is one of three TDs in the new Independent Ireland party – along with co-founders Michael Collins from Cork and Richard O’Donoghue from Limerick.
SEE ALSO – Check out all our 2024 Local Election coverage here
