Kilkenny election candidate to add personal touch to local politics

Green Party election candidate, Kristina Doyle says she is keen to connect with constituents on a human level and address concerns impacting people’s daily lives.

The first time candidate will contest the Callan-Thomastown Local Electoral Area (LEA) with the public set to have their say in the ballot box on Friday, June 7.

Originally from Lithuania, Ms Doyle moved to Ireland ten years ago after a period in the UK. During her time in London, she met her now husband from Ireland before moving to Callan where she has been heavily involved in community organisations since residing in the area.

Promoting equal opportunities for children, ensuring local policies support marginalised people in society and promoting the 'Green Economy' while finding new ways to ‘rethink and reimagine nature with us within it’ are amongst her campaign policies with the need and will to address those aspects of society becoming targets for Doyle since making Callan her home.

Ms Doyle told the Kilkenny People she has taken the local town to her heart and is eager to use a council seat for the betterment of people and the area itself.

The election hopeful holds an impressive list of achievements in academia including being awarded the honourable Robert Frederick Holmes (1803) Award during the Carlow College, St Patrick’s Conferring Ceremony in 2022. The award acknowledged the dedication Ms Doyle had in promoting social justice issues within the College and wider community, including arranging a solidarity rally at Kilkenny Castle in support of Ukraine in February of that year.

Doyle also graduated with a BA (Hons) in Social, Political and Community Studies. 

According to the new candidate, her studies combined with an empathetic nature and will to connect with locals on issues impacting their daily lives are key in her aim to take the next step.

"I think it was building up from all the years here living in Callan and I’ve worked in many different charities here as I wanted to get to know people and see what the lifestyle is like," she said, adding, getting to know people and the experiences they’re facing has made her want to take the next step.

Fellow Green Party member, current city councillor and former tutor to Doyle during her studies, Maria Dollard, has supported her throughout the campaign to date, an aid the Callan resident greatly appreciates.

"I met her at the start of my education journey here and she really inspired me and I would like to be like her as she has had so many life experiences, working with so many different vulnerable people and I really look up to her."

With the local elections just over a month away, the Green Party representative is looking forward to the challenge and doesn’t fear the scrutiny of political life.

"I don’t think it puts you off, I think it makes you want to do more, it’s human nature to complain. Politicians are always being criticised," adding, praise is a rarity and it won’t distract from her 'humanitarian' values.

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