Abolition of corporation has been 'a disaster' for the biggest town in Tipperary

Non-party councillor and Local Elections candidate Niall Dennehy has continued his campaign for the reinstatement of Clonmel Corporation and South Tipperary County Council.

As he says that this call isn’t being heeded, he has suggested that an independent Clonmel city council/corporation may evolve as the only alternative measure to what he describes as the ongoing diminution of Clonmel and the region.

He has maintained that the abolition of Clonmel Corporation/Borough Council has been “a disaster” for the town.

Cllr Dennehy says that his contract with the people "is to support Clonmel and south Tipperary, not Nenagh".

Born in Clonmel and growing up in Ardfinnan, Sinn Féin candidate Dean McGrath graduated from UCC with a Masters in Social Work degree and has worked in the health and social care service for the past five years.

He describes himself as a proud trade unionist who serves as a work place representative for FORSA (the public services staff trade union) in its health division.

His priorities include campaigning for vacant properties to be brought back into use in Clonmel’s town centre; finding solutions to the housing and homelessness crises; upgrading Clonmel’s public water infrastructure; the increased provision of mental health and addiction services; and a root and branch reform of children’s disability services.

As a member of the Workers and Unemployed Group (WUAG), Local Elections candidate Teresa Johnson says that she is working in the community and for the community.

Married with two grown-up children, the post office worker is a member of the Communication Workers Union.

She is a founder member of the Elm Park Area Child Care Committee, and a member of the Clever Cloggs community childcare at Elm Park. She is also a member of the Elm Park Residents Association and a weekly volunteer at the Clonmel Soup Kitchen.

Teresa Johnson is an organiser of the annual sleepout for Focus Ireland in Clonmel, and a volunteer member of Hillview Sports Club.

The Workers and Unemployed Action Group’s priorities include housing and homelessness, health; water, including the upgrading and retention of the Poulavanogue and Glenary water treatment plans, and replacing the hard water supply on the northern side of Clonmel; the environment, local democracy, jobs, public safety and roads.

Originally from Cork, Sinn Féin’s Natasha C Dingivan has lived in Clonmel for the past number of years.

“I am acutely aware that we are sorely lacking services and support in our mental health and addiction fields. I feel strongly that these two key areas should be at the forefront of local politics”.

Her priorities include working to bring vacant properties back into use in Clonmel’s town centre to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis; the significant upgrading of Clonmel’s public water infrastructure; the increased provision of mental health and addiction services in the county; improving public transport, such as local bus and rail routes; and providing support for small businesses and small business owners.