Meet your election candidates for the Kenmare Electoral Area

16 candidates for six seats

Cllr Michael Cahill (FF)

As a longest-serving councillor Michael Cahill (FF) has years of experience and is an extremely hard-working and vocal councillor on every issues in the vast hinterland Kenmare Electoral Area. He has been elected in every election since 1991 and his father was a councillor before him. Among the issues high on his agenda is rural planning and housing, the regeneration of local towns, the South Kerry Greenway and tourism and fishing industries. Roads, broadband and footpaths are also on his agenda.

Cllr Norma Moriarty (FF)

A firmly established and hard-working councillor, health care on the Iveragh peninsula has been one of her key issues in recent years particular the fears over the loss of a local GP in Cahersiveen and the need for more health services like a mental health nurse and podiatry services. The South Kerry Greenway, housing and regeneration projects are also on the agenda. She is actively involved in the local community and puts the community at the heart of what she does.

Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae (Independent)

The poll-topper in the last local elections Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae is the son of TD Danny-Healy-Rae and in keeping with the family motto he is a hard-working and strong voice highlighting such issues as the state of the roads, hedge cutting and housing including planning regulations. He is also familiar with rural issues across the electoral area and has his eyes on issues that effects such communities including supports for farmers.

Dan McCarthy (Independent)

As Manager of Kenmare Mart he is probably best-known in the farming community and is always vocal on issues effecting farmers in Kerry and issues effecting rural families. Roads are also an issue he constantly raises including such projects as the N70 Blackwater to Sneem road. He has contested several elections and and is a supporter of local community initiatives.

Cleo Murphy (Green Party)

Cleo Murphy has worked as a journalist and broadcaster, both in Kerry and overseas. She contested the local elections in 2019 and was the Green Party candidate in the general election of 2020. A native of Kenmare, her focus is on the regeneration of towns and villages, the provision of good public transport connections, and the protection of nature, particularly in coastal areas.

Tim Clifford (Social Democrats)

Tim is one of two candidates for the party in Kerry and is well-known in Killorglin where he is Director of K-Fest. He has been involved in several community projects including seeking funding for the redevelopment of the court house, the Biddy group and the local GAA club. Housing is a key priority for him as his services for towns such as bins, toilets and footpaths. The cost of living for people is also something he hopes he can highlight in his role and to provide supports to community groups where he too has played a part.

Podge Foley (Independent)

From the well-known Foley family in Killorglin Podge is a first-time candidate who is well-known in the community and particularly in GAA circles given his involvement with the local club. He has cited his own personals struggles as one of the reasons for running for election. Chief among his concern is the closure of local businesses, he wants to help get small businesses open again as well as getting the council to invest more in the smaller towns as well as helping push several Killorglin projects that are in the pipe-line.

Damian Quigg (Sinn Fein)

Damian is a station officer at Killorglin fire station and has previously been elected for the party but lost his seat in the last election. He has just completed a business degree. Given his experience with the local community he is well versed with issues effecting the local area and in particular he cites housing as priority. Supports for community and sporting organisations and small businesses are also on his agenda.

Tony Donnelly (FG)

As a former Director of Elections and a party stalwart Tony has a long history in politics and in the community. He is the current chairman of South Kerry Development Partnership and Waterville Community Care and is on the board of Local Link Kerry. He was a member of the Iveragh Coastguard for 35 years. He is also the oldest candidate at 71 years of age but he says his experience stands to him.

Stephanie O’Shea (SF)

Stephanie is from Cahersiveen and am a proud mother of two. She is passionate about South Kerry and actively involved in local community groups, leading various projects over the years. Affordable housing is crucial for our community’s future, she says. Accessible health services are also on her priority list and are essential to ensure everyone has the support they need. Improving community facilities, amenities, and local infrastructure is also what she will fight for.

Catherina O’Sullivan (Aontu)

A clinical nurse manager with nearly twelve years experience in mental health, is also a devoted wife and mother of six. Over the past seven years, she has volunteered across Ireland, aiding families and expectant mothers. She played a pivotal role in Kerry's No/No vote in the recent referendum. Catherina is a vocal advocate for improving primary care in rural areas and increasing the supply of affordable housing. She also supports farmers against the burdens of the Climate Change Bill, pushing for fair negotiations with factories and supermarkets.

Oliver O’Neill (Independent)

Oliver is a farmer from Kilgarvan who has originally intended to run for the Farmers Alliance but is now running as an Independent. Given his background farming is among his key issues but he also cited immigration as a concern. He wants to be the voice of rural communities and highlight the issues affecting such areas.

Teddy O’Sullivan Casey (FG)

Teddy O Sullivan Casey Dromoughty Kenmare and works as a caretaker in Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine. He is married to Jean Tim and they have three children. Disability is a primary concern for him given his own son has special needs. Housing and roads are the two main issues people have raised with him and he says more funding for roads is vital. Business rates are a huge issue, he says.

Patrick Lyne (Independent)

Patrick is farmer from Valentia island that previously ran for Fine Gael but this year is running as an Independent. He said his main aim is to put South Kerry, its people and their livelihoods on the map. Housing and planning is a key priority for the South Kerry candidate. He says planning refusals lead to the decimation of local communities and emigration. He has been involved in various local organisations including the Board of Management of Colaiste na Sceilge. He cites health as an issue that needs to be addressed too.

Ken O’Sullivan (FF)

Ken is from Beaufort, a father of three and heavily involved in the GAA both as a player and manager. Given his day job as an auctioneer he understands the housing crisis in Kerry one of the key priorities of his election and he is passionate about finding a solution to the growing situation. He said the increasing number of road deaths in Kerry is important to him and improving Kerry’s roads to boost road safety is on his agenda.

William O’Brien (Irish People Party)

Immigration is his key priority and online he says he will propose Kerry County Council to cease all co-operation with the Department of Integration, stop funds to accommodation providers for refugees and asylum seekers and wants all this accommodation to be returned to its original use. He says he won't engage with mainstream media.

What are the burning issues of the constituency?

Like much of the country housing is again a key issue here. However, while social and affordable housing is of course on the agenda the stringent planning laws in rural areas are the chief concern, preventing sons and daughters of rural landowners from building on their own land and forcing many to emigrate or move to other locations leading to depopulation

Given the rural landscape of this very large electoral area employment is a concern and supports for small businesses, tourism and farming, are much needed in the area as are supporting any potential employers in the area. Rates have come to the fore recently particularly in Kenmare.

Healthcare is very high on the agenda in the Kenmare Electoral area particularly on the Iveragh peninsula where a GP crisis has been looming all year due to the difficulty in sourcing GPs upon retirement. A primary health care centre is a key project for the area.

The South Kerry Greenway is a vital local project for the area and what has been called a gamechanger for the entire region. .The development of this will be a key concern over the coming years.

Immigration is also a concern here given the use of hotels and guesthouses to house Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers and the strain the increased population has put on local services.