Why I got involved in politics

I got involved in politics having been elected as a national student leader as Deputy President of USI. I was asked to join the Labour Party by Joe Costello and MIchael D Higgins. Having seen rural and urban poverty in South Kerry and Inner City Dublin, I believed that Labour's commitment to equality and fairness was and remains the only way forward for our communities and our country. 

I grew up in a household committed to community and public service and I have been an activist all my life. 

I believe that those of us who can should step up to the plate and seek to represent our communities in local and national government as decisions made locally remain the most important and powerful of all, while local government is only as good as the crucial legislation passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann and the resources and powers provided by Government.

I am passionately committed to building a fairer and more equal Carlow and Kilkenny and Ireland. 

I grew up in a household committed to community and public service and I have been an activist all my life. 

I believe that those of us who can should step up to the plate and seek to represent our communities in local government as decisions made locally remain the most important and powerful of all.

I am passionately committed to building a fairer and more equal Kilkenny and Ireland. 

My priorities

Housing - social and affordable homes on publicly-owned land and an end to the flight of our young people.

Education - A school and childcare place for every child, with necessary transport, assessments, and therapies for those with additional educational needs.

Work - well paid employment for all our citizens and an end to sub- minimum wage pay for apprentices and young people.

SETU - The continuing growth of SETU, expanding the Carlow campus and including the long-promised Kilkenny City campus.

Rural life - a vibrant rural life in which farmers' futures are truly ensured in a sustainable way and an end to vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages.

Gaeilge - Saol bríomhar dá-theangach inár gcontaetha. Labhróidh mé Gaeilge gach seans a bhfaighimse.

Climate Change - A joined-up  public transport system, reducing our car dependency in our city, towns and rural areas. A solution to the problems besetting our regional airport. 

Retrofitting - A major retrofitting programme for social and private housing. Solar panels and energy saving systems can’t only be for the wealthy.

Healthcare -  available in a timely way in our GP practices and in our local hospitals and an end to the health service jobs embargo.

Childcare -  Affordable and publicly provided childcare places for all our families, in our communities.

Small Businesses - A real conversation with small business owners to support them and bring life back to our town and village centres.

Sports and Leisure Facilities - More playgrounds, parks and facilities for minority sports in our communities.

Cost of living -  Tackling the outrageous energy costs and link tax credits and welfare payments to beat inflation.

My background

I am the eldest of five children born in South Kerry. I lived in Dublin for almost a decade and then in South Kerry, before moving to Kilkenny with Marian Flannery, my wife and a native of John Street in the city, in 2002.

We have two adult children, Fionn and Caoilfhionn and recently welcomed Wynona, our first grandchild.       

I served as an elected councillor in Kilkenny City from 2004 to 2014. I was honoured to be elected Mayor of Kilkenny for 2012-2013. I was proud to be elected to Kilkenny County Council in June 2024.

I recently retired from teaching after 34 years service, fourteen of them as principal of Gaelscoil Osraí, Cill Chainnigh. I have been a lifelong trade union activist, serving at branch and district level in the Irish National Teachers Organisation. 

I have served in a number of national organisations, as Deputy President of USI, Vice-Chairperson of Labour Youth and a member of the Labour Party General Council and Executive. I served on the national executive of the Irish Learning Support Association and recently as Uachtarán of Gaeloideachas, the umbrella body for the Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna throughout the country. I am currently a member of the Teaching Council. 

I have served on the boards of the Watergate Theatre and the Butler Gallery and currently on the board of Rothe House in Kilkenny and I have a passionate interest in the arts. 

I have served as a club and district officer of the GAA and chaired the county Kilkenny Ladies Gaelic Football board. 

I am an active member of Kilkenny City Harriers and Kilkenny Triathlon Club and participate in local races, marathons and triathlons. I am a participant and volunteer in Parkrun Kilkenny. 

I am a daily cyclist and member of Kilkenny Cycling and Walking Campaign. 

Is Gaeilgeoir líofa mé agus labhraím an teanga ag gach ócáid gur féidir liom. Creidim gur chóir do gach éinne deis a bheith acu Gaeilge a labhairt sa phobail agus gur chóir dúinn ar fad a bheith in ann ár ngnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge le Comhairle Chontae Chill Chainnigh agus Cheatharlaigh agus leis an stát-chóras ag gach leibhéal.