Local Elections: Now an independent, Pauline Flanagan launches council bid with rallying call that ‘change starts here’

The election launches are coming thick and fast – and Pauline Flanagan was among the first out of the traps in Portlaoise when she hosted hers in the Parish Centre last week.

Having run as a Fianna Fáil candidate in 2019 Local Elections and 2020 General Elections, and served briefly as a Fianna Fáil councillor in 2018-2019, Flanagan was overlooked by the party on this occasion, prompting her to strike out on her own and run as an independent.

The large crowd in attendance were addressed by Wexford independent TD Verona Murphy, who was the special guest to officially launch the campaign.

Deputy Murphy said Ms Flanagan “deserved everyone’s support,” and would be “an excellent local representative” due to her involvement in many organisations in the local community and “her ability to just get things done.”

Deputy Murphy described the new candidate as a “hard worker,” highlighting Ms Flanagan’s “support for local business” and for her volunteer work with various boards and communities, including Laois Volunteer Centre, Youth Work Ireland Laois, and Laois Partnership.

“It is clear from the extensive work that Pauline volunteers in, that she is passionate about her community,” Deputy Murphy said.

“I was struck when I arrived to Laois by a saying used by Laois Tidy Towns which says ‘Love Where You Live’.

“Well it has certainly struck me that thanks to Pauline Flanagan’s involvement in numerous community events and organisations, that she plays a huge part in assisting the people of Laois ‘loving where they live’.

“I hope you will all come out and vote for a positive change for Laois and give Pauline Flanagan your number 1 vote.”

Ms Flanagan presented Deputy Murphy with a Laois Taste hamper, which included a host of locally produced food and drink from Laois.

Local Laois Jeweller Angelina Greaves also presented Deputy Murphy with a pair of drop crystal earrings she made from upcycled materials.

Deputy Murphy said “the presentations and thoughtful gifts were a testament to how passionate Pauline Flanagan believes in Laois.”

Ms Flanagan’s mother, Kathleen Madigan, said her daughter “never stops learning,” and that she “has established clear priorities on her election journey.”

“I am aware of the determination that Pauline has to do as much good as she can, while she can and as often as she can,” Ms Madigan said.

“I knows Pauline will give encouragement, inspiration and help where possible to everyone that she meets.”

MC Paul Flanagan, Ms Flanagan’s son, introduced the new Independent candidate, who spoke of her “dismay at the stories of hardship and frustration she is hearing from people at the doors, particularly with those who have little or no funding in the areas of healthcare, housing and special needs children.”

Ms Flanagan also expressed frustration at the “delay” in the Government assisting the farming community “during the worryingly long wet weather spell” in Ireland at present.

Ms Flanagan said she will prioritise education, including fighting for special needs facilities and for a third level education hub, as well as securing funding for an indoor sports arena in Laois.

“Everyone else is talking about getting an indoor sports facility, but I firmly believe that with my background in education, I can achieve a third level education hub for Laois and thereafter argue for funding for an indoor sports arena,” Ms Flanagan said.

She added that there are numerous other areas of importance where she “has the ability to make a difference in the community,” such as youth, mental health, communicating about grants available, resources for women’s refuge centre, achieving an inland business hub and continuing to promote tourism, heritage and the arts in what Ms Flanagan called the ‘Magical Midlands’ in Laois.

Ms Flanagan concluded with her election slogan, “Change Starts Here,” calling for support in the June 7 elections.

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