Louth Cathaoirleach to stand for election as Independent candidate

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Independent Councillor Kevin Callan, has entered the race for the Dail this week saying that he will be giving people "a clear choice of more of the same with the parties or a strong and proven effective independent voice that will work for the County and negotiate with a government once it provides supports to the area". 

Announcing the launch of his campaign Cllr Callan said that, "this race, this election is extremely important. I am putting my name forward to make sure that everyone has a real choice, more of the same or something different. We are living in an area that has such potential but which has been consistently failed and overlooked.

"Examples include the lack of government support in preventing town centre dereliction, lack of any support to build the Northern Cross Route in Drogheda, the loss of tourist beds in the closure of the D Hotel, the omission of a Drogheda North Train Station from national plans and no action on reopening Dunleer Train Station in 40 years, the lack of progress on the Ardee Bypass in eight years.

He continued, "the lack of action on restoring Borough and Town Councils to Drogheda, Ardee and Dundalk, the list literally goes on and on. Another five years of the status quo could literally leave certain parts of the county in an unsalvageable state and I cannot stand by and watch that happen, that's why I'm entering the race."

Cllr Callan has served as an elected representative for 15 years and says he wants to bring his effort and work to Leinster House. "I want to be clear with people, if elected I work on the basis that I will be productive and that I will work with those who work with me for the constituency but that as an independent I will require commitments for the County and if I'm not getting them, then my support will not be possible. This works extremely successfully for other independent TDs across the country who deliver consistently for their constituencies." 

Cllr Callan was elected as the first independent Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of Louth County Council in 27 years in June and has served as Mayor of Drogheda three times. He is a qualified barrister and active member of a number of organisations including Tidy Towns, he is married to Ruth Clinton from Drogheda.

The Independent candidate highlighted, "my election as Chairperson shows that I work well with parties, independents and anyone who wishes to be positive and constructive, this approach could work well in Leinster House. 

"I am extremely lucky to work with a number of independent councillors who cover the entire county and to have the endorsement and support of Mayor Paddy Mc Quillan and Declan Power in Drogheda, Cllr Jim Tenanty in Mid Louth and Cllr Ciaran Fisher in Dundalk means that this support is real and on the ground for all of the people."

Cllr Callan added, "I am not a celebrity or an amateur entering the race at the last minute, I have been fighting for 15 years for the people in the council chamber and I want to take that work ethic and experience to the Chamber of Dáil Éireann. I am asking people to put their trust in me and to do something different this time, to vote independent. I do not belong to a party and as such I belong only to the People of the County, my only agenda is to fight and push for all of us."