South Roscommon councillor confirms she will run in June local elections

The youngest member of Roscommon County Council, Ballyforan's Emer Kelly, confirmed that she will be contesting the local elections in June as an Independent.

Ms Kelly was 21 years of age when she became a councillor, in May 2021, taking the seat vacated by Athleague's Ivan Connaughton when he decided to quit politics.

She is one of four female members of Roscommon County Council, and the only female representative in its Athlone Municipal District.

In a press statement this week, Cllr Kelly said "a passion for serving the community and a dedication to making a positive impact" were the factors that prompted her decision to run in her first local election on June 7.

An occupational therapist at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Cllr Kelly is also the current Cathaoirleach of the Athlone Municipal District.

"I am thrilled to confirm that I will contest the upcoming local election," she said.

"Having served as a councillor for almost three years, and having a background of community involvement, I have witnessed both the strengths and challenges presented in South Roscommon.

"I will continue to work for South Roscommon, ensuring we are not forgotten. I am committed to listening to the concerns of the people I represent, and will work to ensure South Roscommon is a better place to work and live."

Cllr Kelly said she had a particular interest in rural issues, coming from a farming background and living in Ballyforan. She was also involved in community work before her entrance into politics, participating in Ballyforan Fair, Tidy Towns, and other community projects.

"I know what it is like to live and work in rural Ireland. I grew up farming and I have worked in both the public and private sectors.

"Ordinary working people are hit again and again and there is a growing frustration among people. We are the ones who are unable to afford to buy a house, we are unable to get planning permission and soon we will be forced to move into towns with the direction national policies appear to be taking. We need a strong voice.

"Rural Ireland is slowly being forced to non-existence. Bus services are being cut, funding is shifting towards towns and town centre first policies, and planning regulations are making it impossible for people to build on their own land. Farmers are being shown no support at all and young people are being driven out of the country.

"We had to fight to ensure children were granted school bus tickets in Ballyforan and Dysart, and fight to keep our county town post office open. Our current system is not working.

"We need to see a change in our representatives or rural Ireland will continue to disintegrate," she stated.

Outlining some of the issues she hopes to focus on in the coming years, she mentioned housing, healthcare, agriculture and environmental issues, roads and social concerns.

"I am determined to see an increase in funding for housing adaptation grants and a reduction in the strict planning guidelines. I will advocate for increased payments for carers and improved home help services in our county.

"Healthcare is a huge issue locally. We need a rehabilitation service at Roscommon Hospital and we need an urgent reduction in the waiting lists for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services in the community.

"Looking locally, we need an urgent solution to the crisis at Lough Funshinagh. It is disgraceful that people are waking up each morning not knowing if today is the day they will be forced to leave their home. Our government need to take action.

"We have much potential in terms of community development, tourism and economic growth, but we need local and national policies to allow for young people to live and work in South Roscommon. We need change," she concluded.