No polling station for Monksland despite petition

Monksland Civic Centre will not get a polling station for the forthcoming local election according to local election candidate, John keogh. 'Despite 330 people having signed a petition requesting a polling station in the Monksland Community Centre, the County Registrar has corresponded with me on foot of that petition to advise that he is 'not in a position… to provide an additional polling station in Monksland for the forthcoming elections' advising that he had visited the area three years ago and had considered the position as regards setting up a polling station in Monksland or moving one the existing booths that are in Bealnamulla. 'I have already set out in correspondence to the County Registrar that the Monksland people used to have a polling station in what was known as 'Kennedy"s' and that a polling station should now be put back in Monksland'. Mr Keogh said. 'I am greatly disappointed for the people of Monksland as there are many people in the older Monksland area who are elderly and are unable to drive and therefore will find it difficult to get to Bealnamulla to exercise their democratic right and civic duty'. John Keogh said Presently there are approximately 1,000 people on the register of electors that could be moved to the much more convenient location of Monksland Community Centre for voting purposes. 'I will continue to press the matter with the County Registrar and I am confident that Monksland will have its own polling station before the next scheduled General Election. In the meantime however, for the local elections on June 5th I will provide transport to the elderly members of the community, free of charge so that they can cast their vote. I will provide further details closer to the election,' concluded Mr Keogh.