Your Green voice in Muinebheag

Bagenalstown born and bred, I spent some years studying and working abroad before returning to my home town. I enjoyed growing up in Bagenalstown and now can’t think of any better place where my wife and I can raise our two sons. Lots of time spent on the road going to matches, lots of time too spent by the Barrow walking our excitable cockapoo, Gino. I am a retired secondary school principal by profession and feel privileged to have spent my career in education, engaging and working with young people in their growth and development.

The importance of community is one of my strongest held values. I immersed myself in the local community on returning and have been involved in many aspects of community life since; Bagenalstown Pitch & Putt Club, St. Patrick’s Day Committee, Chairperson of Bagenalstown Festival Committee, Town Twinning Committee. I am currently Environmental Officer with Bagenalstown Improvement Group, actively involved with my Residents’ Association, a member of the Finance sub-committee of Bagenalstown Gaels, treasurer of Bagenalstown AFC and a committee member of Carlow Environmental Committee. I am also a member of the Carlow Local Community Development Committee and sit on Carlow County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Planning and Environment, representing the voluntary sector.

I value the role of public representation at all levels of our democratic system. I am proud to have served a Muinebheag Town Councillor from

2005 – 2015. I worked hard to serve all in the community and to make a contribution in as many areas as possible. I campaigned to retain local services such as the post office. I was also instrumental in obtaining major funding for the McGrath Park sports complex and the children’s playground area in the Fair Green.

Like so many us over recent years, I became increasingly alarmed and angry at the scale of destruction to our ecosystems and environment. There were times also, when I felt despondent and saddened by the seemingly hopeless prospects for recovery. I decided I needed to act positively rather than accept a catastrophic inevitability. I joined the Green Party in 2019 and have been active in the party since that time. Our actions count, at local, national and international level. Our relationship with nature needs to change, our economic model needs to be fundamentally altered and above all, humanity’s willingness to act as a united entity must gather pace. The Green movement is making a difference locally and in government. It is also in the ascendant internationally. I hope that as many as possible decide to act proactively, as I did, and join the Green Party. We are all important and we can all make a difference.