Sinn Féin's Karen Gallagher launches campaign for seat on Mayo County Council

Karen Gallagher, Sinn Féin candidate for Mayo County Council in Westport LEA, officially launched her campaign before a packed house of spirited supporters at the Clock Tavern. Attendees travelled from across West Mayo - and beyond - to take part in the launch event.

Gallagher spoke of the challenges and the opportunities that her candidacy faced.

“I am under no illusion that this will be a hard-fought campaign,” she said. “But I believe the time is right for the people of this LEA to get the change that they deserve.”

Gallagher called for broad and systemic change. She said the needs of the people of West Mayo have been too long ignored. She spoke of chaos in the national health service, and she cited an urgent need for better mental health services and care options for the elderly. She pointed to the lack of investment in local transport services, in facilities that serve youth groups and in critical infrastructure in towns and rural areas. Her comments on the long-stalled Newport sewer scheme, which was designed to stop the dumping of raw sewage into Clew Bay, drew a rousing applause.

“There have been years of broken promises and start dates for the upgrade of the Newport sewerage scheme,” she said. “I can say without fear that with Rose Conway Walsh as a minister, Chris McManus as an MEP and myself as a county councilor, Newport will get the upgrade and not the excuses”.

Pictured are members of Karen Gallagher's extended family at her launch in the Clock Tavern in Westport. 

One of the most powerful moments in the course of Karen Gallagher’s remarks came when she spoke of the housing crisis in West Mayo. She told of young people being forced to leave their communities in search of affordable housing, and of extended families being forced by necessity to live in crowded conditions.

“While I was canvassing what really struck me was how many homes in the area have grandparents, children and grandchildren living under the same roof,” Gallagher said. “These families have been abandoned by the current system.”

Gallagher promised that if elected she would make her voice heard in the decision-making process on behalf of the voters.

“Community choice and change is the message we carry,” she promised. “I will not follow the narrative - I will lead the agenda”.

Gallagher thanked many people including her husband and children for their support. She expressed gratitude to Rose Conway Walsh, TD, who was unable to attend due to a family bereavement, for her mentorship and friendship. Traditional music and song were supplied by Joe Forde and Eric Heneghan and Neantóg at the end of the launch.