Mayo Local Elections: John Paul Carey wants to improve the 'poor state of the roads in our community'

It is the basics that are on John Paul Carey’s mind. Out in the Northwest of Mayo good quality roads are an essential lifeline connecting communities. But this essential infrastructure leaves much to be desired, according to Carey: “The main reason I decided to run is the poor state of our roads here in the whole community: Third world roads in a first world country. It’s terrible.”

The 55-year-old from Cloontakilla is a painter by trade, which he feels stands im in high regard running as an Independent now: “Being a painter, you get around, so you always have an idea of what's going on in the area because you would be talking to people while on the job.”

Carey is doing his homework, canvassing his electoral area Belmullet, covering good ground. He says he has 90 percent of the area canvassed.

“I bumped into people I haven't seen in 20 years, it's a great experience, friends or family, my neighbour has done 30 days canvassing.”

Carey explains that in the past, he tried to contact local councillors to get things addressed but he claims that he did not get any responses back and promises, that in case he got elected, he would be fully approachable for people’s issues and queries.

“I’m also concerned about keeping out doctors in our local communities. It is hard finding a GP in the far West.”

Carey feels there is money around but it isn’t spent on the right issues: “ I would redirect money, for example funds coming from the European Union, and channel them into our rural communities.”

Local issues are at the heart of Carey’s concerns. Like the unfortunate location of the dispensary in Bangor: “It is built on the side of the road, no parking facility around, so people who come to the dispensary, they have to park on the footpath or on the side of the road, its brutal. We need more common sense.”

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Revealed: Full list of candidates who will contest Mayo Local Elections 2024