Kevin 'Boxer' Moran (Non-Party), Athlone

We sent a questionnaire to all 11 candidates running in the Athlone Electoral Area in the forthcoming Westmeath County Council election. The responses were published in print in the current edition of the Westmeath Independent.

NAME: Kevin 'Boxer' Moran

ADDRESS: Cornamagh, Athlone.

PARTY: Non-Party

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

Increasing the supply of affordable housing. Mental health for young people is another one I'd mention. It's a topical subject, and one that's very close to my own heart. People might say, as a councillor, what can you do? But you have to try and open doors to help people who feel left behind.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION?

I think there needs to be a focus on Athlone that's greater than what we have at the moment. My ambition would be to see the introduction of the Loughandunning plan - which would see a new road coming out of Athlone - and also the Loughanaskin plan. There needs to be a wider vision in terms of improving retail in the town and also improving the west side of town.

WHAT ARE THE TWO BIGGEST ISSUES IN YOUR AREA?

Traffic. Every night I canvass, I'm hearing about the traffic in Athlone, and, don't forget, I am a taxi driver. It's a major issue and something we all need to work together to improve. The other issue is improving the west side of Athlone.

We've been talking about the west side for nearly a generation now, and nothing has happened. So that's something I will be very much focused on if I'm lucky enough to be elected on June 7.

WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

My mother. Because she has a heart of gold and she reared an awful lot of us!

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU:

I love to cook and I do a bit of baking.