The Socialist Election Challenge - 2004 European and Local Elections

Europe - Dublin area: Swords - Mulhuddart - Howth - Castleknock - Balbriggan - SW Inner City - Tallaght - Dundrum
Other areas: Drogheda - Limerick - Cork - Letterkenny - Click on profile pic to return to the top

Victories for the Socialist Party in Local Elections

As counting proceeds, the Socialist Party in Ireland, a leading force in the anti-Bin Tax campaign last year, has already won four councillors in the local elections, doubling its representation in the process. Those elected are Clare Daly (Swords), Ruth Coppinger (Mulhuddart), Mick Murphy (Tallaght) and Mick Barry (Cork).

	Read the Socialist Party Election Manifesto by clicking here
	View the Socialist Party Election Broadcast by clicking here

Joe Higgins - Socialist candidate for Dublin in the European elections
Joe Higgins TD	JOE HIGGINS, Socialist Party TD for Dublin West, who spent a month in jail last Autumn for fighting the bin tax, will be the Socialist Party's candidate in the European election for the Dublin constituency on 11 June. The Socialist Party will fight the election on the general theme of the need to build a democratic, socialist Europe where the needs of working people come before the ruthless drive for profits by the multinational corporations. In particular, we stand against the privatisation agenda of the E.U. Commission, that is fully accepted by the FF/PD Government... Read the full statement here Contact: (01) 618 3038 or e-mail: joe.higgins@oireachtas.ie

Fingal	Swords Ward
Cllr. Clare Daly	ELECTED! - Clare Daly has represented the Swords ward in North Fingal since her election in 1999. Clare is well known as an outstanding representative for ordinary people, waging campaigns on many issues from the bin tax and workers rights, to controversial planning and rezoning issues. Clare spent a month in Mountjoy last September for her refusal to be intimidated by the courts into not participating in the anti bin tax protests. Clare is a catering shop steward in Aer Lingus in Dublin Airport and has organised consistently in opposition to the privatisation of Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta and organised in defence of airport workers rights. Contact: (087) 2415576

Michael O'Brien	MICHAEL O'BRIEN, aged 27, and living in Swords, has worked alongside Councillor Clare Daly on many local issues in the Swords ward. He is an active trade unionist in the Public Service Executive Union, and is a leading organiser and steering committee member of the Irish Anti-War Movement. Contact: (087) 2400331

Fingal	Mulhuddart Ward
Cllr. Ruth Coppinger	ELECTED! - Ruth Coppinger has been the Socialist Party Councillor for the Mulhuddart ward since taking over from Joe Higgins T.D. in July. In that time she has represented communities on a wide range of issues from housing to transport to facilities. Ruth played a leading role organising opposition to the bin tax. She fought against the Hansfield development of 2,000 houses, demanding it be put back until the necessary infrastructure are put in place. Alongside local people, Ruth Coppinger organised public meetings and protests against the Manager's unjust council rent increases early last year. She is a secondary school teacher and member of the ASTI and lives in Mulhuddart. Ruth will continue to be a voice for ordinary people on the Council if elected. Contact: (01) 8116174

Helen Redwood	HELEN REDWOOD is one of the Socialist Party candidates in the Mulhuddart Ward in the upcoming local elections on June 11th. She will be standing alongside Councillor Ruth Coppinger. Helen lives in Castlecurragh and is heavily involved on the newly formed Residents' Association Committee. She is part of a strong team of Socialist Party candidates, who will be standing across Fingal to seriously challenge the cosy establishment that has dominated the Council to the benefit of the speculators and developers, and to the detriment of the residents that they claim to represent. Contact: (085) 7283823 or e-mail: helen@redwood-intl.com

Fingal	Howth Ward
Brian Greene	BRIAN GREENE, aged 34, and originally from Bayside, Brian has lived with his family in Park Vale in Baldoyle for ten years. He has a life-long involvement in youth work in the area, working with both the Bayside and Baldoyle Youth Clubs, community drama in Howth, and community radio in the Sutton area. He was a key co-ordinator in the battle against the water charges in the mid-90s, and currently Treasurer of the Fingal Anti-Bin Tax Campaign. Brian works alongside party colleagues Joe Higgins TD and Councillor Clare Daly on many local and national issues. Contact: (085) 7116466

Fingal	Castleknock Ward
Susan Fitzgerald	SUSAN FITZGERALD originally from Cabra, has been active in the Socialist Party and numerous community and youth campaigns for the past 10 years. She was a co-ordinator for the Fingal Anti-Bin Tax Campaign in the Castleknock/Blanchardstown area and was an executive member of the Scheme Workers Aliance for two years. Aged 26-years-old she now works for the Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU). A member of the ATGWU, she has been an ardent opponent of the sell out social partnership deals. Last year Susan was an active participant in the the Irish Anti-War Movement which saw 100,000 people take to the streets. Contact: (087) 6273581 or e-mail: susanmfitzgerald@eircom.net

Fingal	Balbriggan Ward
Tadgh Kenehan	TADGH KENEHAN is the Socialist Party candidate in the Balgriggan Ward for the upcoming local elections, and the Balbriggan Town Commission. Aged 32, Tadhg lives with his family in Ashfield in Balbriggan, and has worked alongside Councillor Clare Daly, on many local and national issues, such as crucial planning matters in Balbriggan and Rush, and in relation to traffic management in Skerries. Contact: (086) 1646889 or e-mail: tadhg@socialistparty.net

Dublin City	South West Inner City Ward
Diarmuid Naessens	DIARMUID NAESSENS is the Socialist Party candidate for South West Inner City Ward (Dublin City Council). Diarmuid is the local representative for the Socialist Party. He is 39 years old and an active trade unionist, member of the TUI. Diarmuid has been very involved in the campaign against the bin tax, both on a local level and as treasurer of the all-Dublin campaign. You can find him every Saturday from 11.30 am in Meath Street with a campaign stall. Or contact him at 5 Mallin Avenue, phone (01) 4113839

South Dublin	Tallaght Ward
Mick Murphy	ELECTED! - Mick Murphy, at 40 years of age, has over 20 years political experience and has played a leading role in a number of major campaigns. He has been active in South West Dublin since the beginning of the 90s leading several local Campaigns on Planning matters, the heroin crisis and rented housing. Mick was the Treasurer and a key organiser in Dublin of the Campaign Against Water Charges from 1994 to 1996. In 1999 Mick set up MIJAG the Motor Insurance Justice Action Group and is still its National Organiser. Mick has being leading the Campaign Against the Bin Tax in the South Dublin County Council and is the Secretary of that Campaign. Mick is married to party colleague Lisa Maher and they live with their family in Whitechurch. Mick works as the Senior Engineer at the C&C Dublin bottling plant. Contact: (01) 4934696

DL/RD	Dundrum Ward
Lisa Maher	LISA MAHER has been instrumental in fighting the double tax bin charge. She is Secretary of the Campaign Against the Service Charges and will be the Socialist Party candidate in the Dundrum Ward. Lisa has been active in this area for over 7 years and has been involved in campaigning on many issues such as workers' rights, youth facilities, road ramps, and domestic violence. She was also crucial in the campaign which succeeded in abolishing the water charges. Contact: (01) 4934696 or e-mail: lisamaher@eircom.net

Drogheda	Laurence's Gate Ward
Frank Gallagher	FRANK GALLAGHER is the Socialist Party candidate in the Laurence's Gate Ward for the upcoming local elections. Frank is aiming to break-up the cosy establishment that has dominated the Council for years, to the benefit of the speculators and developers, and the detriment of the residents they claim to represent. Frank lives in Newfield with his family , and has worked alongside Councillor Clare Daly and Joe Higgins TD, on local and national issues. He is currently Secretary of the Drogheda Trades Council and has worked and campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the wider trade union movement and it's members locally and nationally. He is also member of the Board of Management and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Trades Council's Resource Centre at the North Quay. Contact: (041) 9844254 or e-mail: droghedasocialists@eircom.net

Limerick	Ward 3
Ashling Golden	ASHLING GOLDEN (19) was selected by the Socialist Party its local election candidate. Ashling will be standing for Limerick City Council in Ward 3. Currently a student in Public Administration in UL, Ashling is the youngest candidate in the country standing on June 11th. The Socialist Party is standing to provide an alternative to the big parties of the capitalist establishment who have let working class people and youth down time and again. The local and Euro elections provide an excellent opportunity to show the Government and the other establishment parties your opposition to the lack of proper health, education and transport services and the big business policies they pursue. Vote No.1 for Ashling Golden, Socialist Party on June 11th. Contact: (086) 3194847

Cork	North Central Ward
Mick Barry	ELECTED! - Mick Barry is the Socialist Party candidate in Cork North Central. Mick was jailed for his opposition to service charges in 2001. As the Government moves the re-introduction of water charges up the agenda, now is the time to put him on the Council. Mick is a proven fighter for the rights of working class people. He helped build MIJAG to fight for fair insurance for young drivers. As Secretary of the Home Helps movement he has been a consistent campaigner for the rights of these working women. Contesting his third election, he has a real chance now in June. Help Mick's election campaign - your help and ideas are needed. Contact: (087) 2052722

Letterkenny	Letterkenny Town
Francis McCafferty	FRANCIS MCCAFFERTY is the Socialist Party candidate for Letterkenny Town Council. Originally from Oldtown, he has witnessed the massive changes which have taken place in the town over the years. Having worked for a period in England and returned five years ago, he also understands the perspective of the many who have settled in Letterkenny in recent years. He now lives in Glencar Park and is married with one child. He has been active in politics throughout his life campaigning on a wide range of issues. Recently he has been one of the local residents who campaigned against the building of apartment blocks in Glencar. In this election he is campaigning for planning and development in the interests of all the people of Letterkenny rather than in the interests of wealthy developers and property speculators.
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