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McMahon sets out stall for local
elections
28.10.08
Gormley praises "brave"
Buncrana candidate
INISHOWEN'S Green Party candidate for the local
elections has vowed to do her best to make the
peninsula a "healthier place to live".
Sheenagh McMahon was speaking during the launch of
her campaign in Buncrana on Friday by Green Party
leader and Environment Minister John Gormley.
Ms McMahon will run for a seat on Buncrana Town
Council and the Inishowen electoral area of Donegal
County Council.
Minister Gormley said voters could be assured of Ms
McMahon's courage and integrity.
"Sheenagh is well known in this community and
nationally for her bravery in standing up for what
she believes in. I hope her commitment to green
principles will bring about another change - a Green
councillor for Inishowen," he said. |
"There has never been a
Green councillor in this area and Sheenagh offers
the perfect candidate for the first. I hope the
Inishowen community will get behind her campaign and
support her efforts to make this community a greener
place," added the Minister.
Ms McMahon told the launch she was no stranger to
politics.
"Politics is in my blood. My great grandfather was
the first Catholic Lord Mayor of Derry, while at the
same time my other great grandfather sat on Buncrana
Urban District Council," she explained. |
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"I would like to think
that if the Green Party had existed at that time,
they too would have been supportive of our
principles and policies."
She said she first decided to get involved in
politics for "very personal reasons".
"At a time of great stress in my life, I found there
was a lack of political will and support, the help
that I needed wasn’t there for me. My involvement in
the Morris Tribunal opened my eyes to the need for
real political representation," she added.
The Buncrana Green Party candidate is no stranger to
community involvement.
She works with the Inishowen Women’s Outreach centre
which offers support and shelter for victims of
domestic violence. She is also a member of Inishowen
Development Partnership, Action Inishowen and the
Inishowen Women’s Streering Group.
She said, if elected, she would do "everything in
her power" to make Inishowen a healthier place to
live.
"Public transport is a priority issue for me.
Traffic management, better rural transport and the
extension of the Western Rail Corridor would make a
huge difference to this area. There are also a
number of walking and cycling groups in this area
and we need to facilitate them through safe routes
and cycle lanes.
“I wish to represent the people who value our
environment and a better quality of life. I realise
the fantastic work that volunteers and community
groups working with the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged people in our society do and as a
councillor, I can voice their concerns at a local
government level.” |
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