Sligo-Leitrim Social Democrats select candidate to run in the local elections

Ms. Lola Gonzalez, third from left, at the selection convention in St George's Heritage Centre. Picture: Keith Nolan

placeholder image — Ms. Lola Gonzalez, third from left, at the selection convention in St George's Heritage Centre. Picture: Keith Nolan

The Social Democrats have nominated Lola Gonzalez Farrell to contest the 2024 local elections in the Carrick-on-Shannon local electoral area.

The local branch of the party launched her election campaign last Saturday, June 3 at the St George's Heritage Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, attended by the party.

Originally from Panama, Ms Gonzalez Farrell grew up in the United States and moved to Carrick on Shannon with her Irish husband almost a decade ago.

Since then she has been hugely involved in the local community, working for six years as manager of the National Council of the Blind shop and with Momentum in Leitrim Village for the past year.

On a voluntary basis she is involved in the Leitrim Peace Plus Partnership, a director of the Leitrim Volunteer Centre Board, former member as Inclusion Pillar of the Leitrim Local Community Development Committee, member of the Migrant and Refugee Leaders Network, PR of the Leitrim International Community Group, and a member of the Leitrim Integration Strategy Working Group.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Gonzalez Farrell said, "I see a town that needs more innovative ideas to progress and become a community that all are a part of and can feel proud to be a part of. I believe I can feel that need. I know that communities benefit from collaboration and transparency to reach goals and that we need those skills here.

"I will be championing issues related to housing, public transportation, the environment, and better broadband for better communication so we engage with each other more effectively."