June happy to return back to party politics
HAVING this week announced she has joined the Social Democrat Party, Mitchelstown-based Cork County Councillor June Murphy has said she would be giving serious consideration to running under the party banner at the next general election.
Cllr Murphy was elected to the local authority in 2014 but sensationally quit the Sinn Féin party in late 2015 saying that internal wrangling had left her with no option but to leave and join the ranks of the independents in County Hall.
Speaking to The Corkman this week, Cllr Murphy said she had “thought long and had” on the prospect of returning to party politics.
“Given my previous experiences this was not a decision I took lightly. However, I have always been a great admirer of Róisin Shorthall and Catherine Murphy (the two sitting Social Democrat TDs) and have been impressed by their passion and integrity,” said Cllr Murphy.
“The policies of the Social Democrat party very much mirror my own ethos on many issues and having spoken to Róisin and Catherine I was impressed with their transparency and awareness of the issues that impact people across Irish society,” said Cllr Murphy.
“In many ways this is the perfect fit for me to be working with people who have a clear vision for a fairer and more decent Ireland. I am looking forward to representing the party and working alongside people who identify with my own strongly held beliefs and political outlook,” she added.
Cllr Murphy, who represents the Fermoy Municipal District and is the current chair of the council’s Northern Area committee, said it was too early to say if she will run for the Dáil.
However, she did not dismiss the idea, saying it was something that she would discuss with party colleagues over the coming weeks and months.
“For now I am very happy to have made the move. It has reignited my passion for politics and I am looking forward to continuing my work on the council,” she said.
“If that does lead to me contesting for a seat in the Dáil, so be it,” she added.