First-time Labour Candidate Ciarán Ahern launches his General Election campaign
For Immediate Release
Dublin, 23rd January 2020 —
First time Labour candidate Ciarán Ahern will launch his General Election campaign for Dublin South West this evening, 23rd January, at 8pm in D’Arcy McGees at the Spawell.
At the launch, the well-known Dublin South West solicitor will outline his vision for an Ireland in which the rights of every person are respected. He will also commit to ensuring that issues affecting his constituents in Dublin South West are brought to the fore.
Speaking before the launch Mr Ahern said: “In a country as prosperous as ours, everyone should have access to healthcare, affordable housing, public transport and a healthy environment. But for that to happen, we need to change, we need to reset. I am running to help change the direction of our country and locality.’
Acknowledging the difficulty of running as a first time candidate, Mr Ahern continued: ‘It is a challenge but I am hugely encouraged by the reception I have received so far. It has underlined my belief in the goodness of people and in the power which can be unleashed when we genuinely work together.
He said: What defines us as a people is our sense of community spirit and the compassion we show to the most vulnerable in our society. But this compassion is not being reflected in Government decisions. That is why it is so important that we send a clear message on February 8th that real change is required, that it IS possible to work together to make sure no one in our society gets left behind.
Mr Ahern has deep roots in the constituency. He attended Coláiste Éanna CBS, and his mother Mary has taught in St Mark’s Community School in Tallaght for 30 years. He has a strong record of volunteering locally. He is a Community Representative on the Ballyroan Boys National School Board of Management, a founding director of Calcutta Connect (a Rathfarnham-based registered charity which supports education in India), former secretary of the Rathfarnham Concert Band, activist with the Dublin Cycling Campaign and employment law advisor with Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC). He also organises the Law Society of Ireland’s annual fundraiser for homeless services, raising €300,000 for the Peter McVerry Trust and the Hope Foundation in 2019.
His level of involvement has left him with strong admiration for the people of the area. ‘I’m proud of the community spirit created by the people who live and work here. I’m proud of our incredible schools, clubs and community groups and I’m running to protect them, to ensure that they and the future generations they support in Dublin South West get the same opportunities I did.’
He concluded by saying “During the course of this campaign I want to meet as many voters as possible so that I can begin to address their concerns. Please spread the word, now is our opportunity to make a positive change”.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Mr Ahern will be introduced by his wife, Human Rights Lawyer Dr Maeve O’Rourke. Other speakers on the night will include Labour Councillor on South Dublin County Council, Pamela Kearns; Chair of the Board of Management of Ballyroan Boys NS, Brendan Vaughan; and Chairman of FLAC, Peter Ward.
For more information, contact ciaranaherndsw@gmail.com or 087 207 0886