A NEW candidate has come forward in the race to become Limerick’s first directly-elected mayor as sitting Labour Party councillor Conor Sheehan adds his name to the growing tally hoping to take the top vote on June 7.
The City North councillor, who has been vocal across a number of issues affecting Limerick, says he will seek his party’s nomination to become the Labour candidate in the historic Limerick vote.
The Labour councillor has indicated he will, if elected, be a ‘mayor for homes’, tackling Limerick’s growing issues around housing – especially for young people with increasing barriers to getting their hands on keys to homes.
“Nearly 22,000 people under the age of 35 left Ireland for Australia alone in the last year and not because of unemployment, but largely because of the housing crisis that has gripped our nation for the last decade,” he said.
“Limerick is a fantastic city. It’s where I was born and where I want to live and raise a family and, right now, many people my age will not be able to do that.”
Cllr Sheehan joins 10 other candidates in the race, with previous announcements from Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan, former Department of Finance general secretary John Moran (Independent), Limerick Tidy Towns chairperson Helen O’Donnell (Independent), sitting councillor Elisa O’Donovan (Social Democrats), former Limerick Chamber CEO Dee Ryan (Fianna Fáil), local TD Brian Leddin (Green Party), Ruairí Fahy (People Before Profit), Laura Keyes (Rabharta), Sarah Beasley (Aontú), and Gerben Uunk (Party for Animal Welfare).
Limerick’s first direct mayoral elections will take place this June 7, alongside the local and European ballot.
