Higgins support for O’Connell bid

Higgins support for O’Connell bid


Anton McNulty

A MAYO man who is contesting the upcoming Seanad elections received a boost to his campaign after he received high profile endorsements from former Labour TD, Michael D Higgins and former CEO of the Equality Authority, Niall Crowley.
NUI Galway lecturer, Donncha O’Connell is running on the NUI Panel in the Seanad election  which ends on April 27. The School of Law lecturer is a former student of Michael D Higgins who gave his support to O’Connell by stating that he is the type of person capable of reforming the Seanad.
“I know that while the Seanad is in need of reform, Donncha is somebody who would have a real contribution to make not only on the issue of reform, but on so much more. He has not only been an inspiring University teacher, but he has given service of inestimable value in the public area – on human rights, disability, and constitutional and political reform.  He has done this with generosity and commitment at local, national and international level. 
“I strongly support his candidature and respectfully ask you to give him your number 1 vote.  Donncha would make a great Senator – one whose Seanad contributions I am certain we will all be proud of,” concluded the former Galway West TD and Minister.
O’Connell is the former Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and is campaigning on democratic renewal through constitutional reform and a progressive approach to human rights and equality.
Niall Crowley also endorsed his candidacy saying that he ‘offers a unique voice that has a timely and key contribution to make to Seanad Éireann and to Irish political debate’
“He offers a voice informed and shaped by active involvement in the struggles for a new and better Ireland. He offers a voice for equality and human rights at a point in our development when these core values are being sidelined and forgotten,” he said.
Professor Gerard Quinn, the Director of the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUIG also expressed his support for O’Connell stating that he had the ‘vision, energy and moral courage’ to ‘restore public confidence in a badly tarnished Republic’.
There are three positions available for election on the NUI panel with 27 candidates running. Voting for the university seats closes on April 27.