A vote for Healy is a vote for your community T

he past five years have been a privilege for me in representing you on Sligo County Council and I wish to thank you for putting your trust in me. I have worked as hard as I can for you during this time. My first motion as a Councillor was to organise a delegation to the Minister to successfully address Sligo’s huge financial debt. I have lobbied strongly for infrastructure improvements and have had the road from Corhownagh to Belladrehid Bridge in Ballisadare resurfaced with new footpaths and walkways installed and have also secured a number of upgrading works on the R290 from Ballygawley to the Leitrim border. Many constituents expressed concerns about their personal safety and

I set up Text Alert groups in Ballisadare, Ballygawley and Ballintogher. The blight of unfinished and abandoned estates remains a huge problem and I have secured funding for a number of estates and have had others taken in charge by the Council. Recently work has begun on a new substantial social housing development in Collooney that will help to reduce our housing waiting lists. I have campaigned strongly for library services, respite care, Post Offices and youth mental health services. I was elected Mayor of Sligo in 2016, the centenary year of the Easter Rising, and was, I believe, the only Mayor to pay for my own flight and expenses to America for Saint Patrick’s Day. I also got the opportunity to become friendly with President Higgins and was later able to invite him to Sligo for the naming of Martin Savage Bridge.

My family home is in Ballygawley and I live in Collooney with my wife, Majella, and family. As a young man I emigrated to England where I worked for ten years, an experience that has made me value the benefits of hard work and the wider support of family and community. I returned to Ireland in the early nineties and have been employed by the Office of Public works as a scaffolder.

I came back to Sligo with a deep appreciation of how wonderful our County is to live and work in but also with how much needs to be done to develop it properly and to see it grow to benefit all of our citizens not just a few. My main motivation for getting involved in politics stems from by belief in empowering and strengthening communities. I try to listen to people and bring them with me, any politician who forgets that has ceased to function in his or her role. I believe in equality of access for all and my actions prove that no service will be threatened here without me standing up for them.

If you decide to re-elect me then I will continue to campaign for a secure water supply for north Sligo, a hazardous waste facility for Sligo, a new traffic system and car park for Collooney, a pedestrian crossing for Ballisadare, a footbridge over the N4 and will do everything in my power to protect and promote rural Ireland.

I am also asking for your continued support for our outstanding M.E.P Matt Carty who is fighting for you in Europe.

Our towns and villages need now, more than ever to have their voices heard at all levels and in all places. A vote for Healy is a vote for your community.