Social Democrats nominate Maynooth's Peter Melrose to contest 2024 local elections

The Social Democrats have formally nominated Maynooth resident Peter Melrose to contest the May 2024 local elections.

From Ballina, Co. Mayo originally, 34-year-old Melrose is a primary school teacher and will contest the election in the Maynooth Local Electoral Area.

He and his wife Maebh, a psychologist working locally, live in Moyglare Hall. Mr Melrose is an active member of the INTO, and is the organiser of the Navan branch, the largest in the country. 

The Kildare North branch of the party formally approved the nomination of Mr Melrose, who is also an award-winning filmmaker, on Monday night.

Speaking after the formal selection he said he was delighted to be selected as a candidate, and immediately paid tribute to outgoing party leader and Kildare north TD Catherine Murphy.

“None of us would be here without Catherine - as a TD and as co-leader of the party she has brought innovation, fresh and new thinking to politics.”

He said he was under no illusions about the difficult task ahead.

“When the Social Democrats formed in 2015 I was instantly interested, in particular due to their Nordic-style policies: I had studied the Finnish education model in college and saw it as an aspirational one for Ireland. 

“I am particularly interested in policies that affect the local Maynooth area. In 2021, Maebh and I were looking at houses in Mullen Park when we learned it was to be sold to an investment fund. 

“We were very disappointed, and I ended up speaking on Prime Time to express my outrage at the decision to sell the estate, a decision that was ultimately overturned. 

“I first met Catherine at that time and it was clear we took the same view on it. It really made me wonder about the lack of foresight of those in government who didn’t see the danger of this happening.

“Transport policy is another issue that is hugely influential in our town and I am dismayed at some of short-sighted and ill-conceived elements of the proposed Maynooth Transport Strategy.

“I hope to start a campaign to save the Maynooth Town Square from being converted into a bus depot, and use it as a cultural hub, as was outlined in previous area plans. 

“I enjoy being an advocate for people and in this particularly caustic political atmosphere, I want to stand and be counted and help as many people as I can that are struggling.

“I know what it feels like to struggle – we did not have much money growing up, and it is not a feeling I would wish on any family.”

Deputy Murphy said she was delighted Mr Melrose had put himself forward to run in the next local elections.

“I’m immensely proud of the group of Social Democrat councillors on Kildare County Council and the work they have done. We are ambitious to increase that representation so that we have an even greater influence on the future of our county, and I can see Peter playing a strong role in that also.”