Clonmel based Tipperary Local Elections candidate has unique insight on homelessness

Q. Thomas, thanks for entering The No-Spin zone. Tell me briefly about yourself and your political career to date.
A. Thanks for having me Cara and I’m wishing you a speedy recovery from your appendix operation this week. I’m an independent candidate for the Clonmel area in the Local Elections, am born and bred in Clonmel. I’m currently a mature student in applied social studies.

Q. What do you think will be the biggest issues on the doorsteps when you go canvassing in the lead up to the June elections?
A. For me, in Clonmel, it’s the dereliction of the town, how things have dwindled with Marketplace & also I see the Council rates being a massive issue. Housing, homelessness & drugs will also be big issues.

Q. Breaking through is always tough when you haven’t been previously elected. What makes you different to the current Clonmel councillors?
A. None of them have been homeless. I was homeless from March 2018 to May 2020. At the time, I was sofa-surfing between relatives’ homes. No county councillor that I know of has experience of homelessness or hidden homelessness. As a person who has experienced this first-hand, I want to be the champion to those who want to find their forever home.

Q. Do you do any voluntary work in Clonmel?
A. Where do I start. I’ve created the remembrance walk for those who’ve died by suicide. I’ve also been a radio presenter for Clonmel hospital. I’ve also ran several mini marathons in Dublin for charity. Also, I’ve organised a number of coffee mornings and table quizzes.

Q. How do you rate the performance of the present Government?
A. At present I would rate them about 3 out of 10 as they’ve failed us on housing, general & mental health services and they have failed carers miserably and many of our people in this country who are on the poverty line.

Q. Cost of Living is a massive issue. What can councillors do about it?
A. I would be looking at the Local Property Tax which councillors can adjust, to cut it by 10 – 15%, or to freeze it for the next term of the County Council - that would put money back into people’s pockets if a cut happened. I will seek that reduction if elected.

Q. Is housing now a national emergency?
A. Housing for me has been a national emergency, not just now, but for the last few Governments. We’re at crisis and breaking point now. There are over 40 people in Tipperary registered as homeless, and no doubt many more hidden homeless as well. It’s just not acceptable anymore.

Q. The Irish Daily Mail’s front page reads: “Almost 200,000 hospital appointments cancelled in first 9 months of 2023.” What’s your opinion on the health service, and what will you do about it?
A. With 200,000 appointments cancelled, I’d look to find out why – is it staffing, or are the staff being paid the right amount of money for the jobs they do. I want the HSE totally disbanded and then bring back the old Health Boards that did work. I will campaign vigorously for better health services in Clonmel.

MENTAL HEALTH

Q. Mental Health services have been moved from Clonmel. What will you do about that if elected?
A. In 2012, St. Michael’s unit should not have been closed. That was done by Labour Minister Kathleen Lynch who said that the unit was closing and that it’s “set in blood.” It’s a disgrace. St. Michael’s needs to be brought back urgently. Clonmel needs mental health services right now and I will campaign for that. Positively, it was great to see the opening the new Crisis House which has replaced the old one that we had.

Q. Are drugs and crime a serious issue in the Clonmel Area?
A. Yes, drugs especially are problematic in Clonmel. The town has made national headlines in print press and radio about drugs, it is a worrying issue. I’d really like to set-up a task force for drugs and cooperation between council and gardai to tackle this and also the businesses of the town which is something I will look for to be established if elected.

Q. To immigration. The Taoiseach has said that nobody has a right to veto who lives in their community. Is he right? And where do you stand on this issue?
A. No-one has a right to veto anything. We’re a democracy so people shouldn’t do that. Me personally, Ireland needs to shut it’s borders for 18 – 24 months, get houses of all sorts built, house our own first, and then our international friends.

Q. You mentioned before we started the interview that bullying is schools is a big issue for you. Can you expand on that?
A. I want to be a champion for children bullied in schools. I was personally bullied from an early age, so I know exactly the damage that it does. If elected, this is another issue that I will take on by visiting schools and deal with this exact topic with boards of management.

Q. Tell me what aspects you think Tipperary County Council is performing well at?
A. They promote Tipperary brilliantly as a tourist hub – tourism is something that they do well. They have also attracted big investment through partnerships, e.g. The Sports Hub and the Blueway.

HOUSING

Q. Where do you think that Tipperary County Council’s performance is poor?
A. Housing. They’re not building enough houses. The turnaround for vacant houses in not quick enough. Road issues as well – lack of maintenance is a big issue.

Q. Clonmel has the highest car-parking rates in county Tipperary. Why is that, and what will you do about it if elected?
A. If elected, I’ll look for two car parks to be made entirely free. Also, I would look at giving 90 minutes free in the town centre and seek a set-rate across the whole town.

Q. Water is a big issue and water outages are a massive issue in Clonmel. What will you do about it if elected?
A. I’d look to get Irish Water disbanded, with the council taking the services back. Also, I’d like to see a referendum to state that water charges will never come in. I think I’m the only candidate calling for this.

Q. With the ongoing RTE scandal in mind, what will you say to voters on the doorsteps if they ask you if they should pay their TV licence or not?
A. I’d say No don’t pay it. The TV licence should be done away with right now. It’s a farce, they’re reviewing it right now so people shouldn’t have to pay while that review is going on.

Q. Who do you think will be the 3 South Tipperary TDs elected in the next Dáil?
A. Now you’ve caught me on the hop Cara. I’ll say Mattie McGrath and Martin Browne for the first two seats – the third seat is open to any of the parties or independents.

Q. Either Leo, Mary-Lou or Micheál will be the next Taoiseach. In a forced choice, who is your preference and why?
A. Mary-Lou. And the reason being is that she would be the first ever female Taoiseach of Ireland. It’s about time a female led the Country.

Q. Tell us something interesting about Thomas Ryan?
A. I have written poetry that has helped me through bad times with my mental health and many can say that things like this can help.

Q. Final question – why should people vote for Thomas Ryan in June?
A. I have lived in Clonmel all my life, seen changes that are good and bad. I am one of the only candidates to say that I have never had the choice to own my own home because of the cost of housing, been hidden homeless and having to sofa surf with family. How many candidates can say that. It is tough to have your home taken off you and go beg for a place with little or no help. I am here to help everyone and not just the few.
Cara: Thanks for entering The No-Spin Zone Thomas. Best wishes for the big election!