THE LABOUR Party has selected local councillor Conor Sheehan as their general election candidate for Limerick City.
The 31-year-old Corbally native was first elected to Limerick City and County Council in 2019 to represent City North. He says his journey into politics stems from a deep-seated belief that everyone in Limerick deserves a voice at the table, particularly the economically disadvantaged and those who have struggled because of the housing crisis.
Speaking after his selection this week, Cllr Sheehan told the Limerick Post that “it is the honour and privilege of my life to be selected as the Labour Party candidate for the next general election, following in the footsteps of political giants like Jan O’Sullivan and Jim Kemmy”.
“Limerick is a wonderful city, it is my home, and it is a place I want to see grow and thrive to realise its true potential as the economic counterpull to Dublin and the east coast.
“I love my work as a local councillor and it remains the honour and privilege of my life to represent my friends, neighbours, family members and the people of Limerick City North on Limerick City and County Council, but I know I could do so much more for people as a TD.”
Cllr Sheehan said that he wants to run in the general election to shape a Limerick where young people like him can build a future.
“We have a chronic shortage of housing that is causing those who are lucky enough to emigrate to leave while far too many people are left to bear the scar of homelessness. You only have to walk the streets of our city to see the human manifestation of the misery inflected by poverty and addiction on people in our city,” Cllr Sheehan said.
The sitting Labour councillor says that his priorities for Limerick include the opening of a second emergency department in the Mid West, more social and affordable housing, the development of a proper balanced aviation strategy to unlock the potential of Shannon Airport, 24/7 mental health services, and the need for more Gardaí on the streets to address crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Politics and public service is a privilege and politics can be a force for good, and I will prove that by deed and not just words,” he concluded.
