‘An Independent Voice is needed on Cork County Council’ according to Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea, who will launch his campaign for re-election to Cork County Council this Friday, 28th March 2014 in Kilshannig Community Hall, Glantane, Mallow at 7-30pm.
Cllr. O’ Shea is running as an independent community candidate for the new Kanturk/Mallow electoral area of Cork County Council in the upcoming local elections. John Paul was the youngest councillor elected to Cork County Council in 2009 at 25 years of age. Cllr. O’ Shea who is the youngest of seven children and son of the late William (Bill) and Margaret O’ Shea from Laharn, Lombardstown is passionate about maintaining and developing local services and amenities and has proven this with success over the last five years.
Cllr. O’ Shea said “I have been involved in many community projects all my life and being so committed about encouraging people to help themselves and getting involved within their own communities, becoming a local public representative on Cork County Council has been an ideal platform for me to continue this passion to the communities I serve. I have a proven track record in getting involved in our communities and making things happen and I hope, with your support in this year’s local elections, to continue to work with you and the communities I serve throughout the new Kanturk/Mallow Electoral Area”.
Cllr. O’ Shea has a very good understanding of how communities can develop and remain vibrant with the proper local amenities and services. His election to Cork County Council has given him a great insight into the current needs of people, both young and old, and the need for a continued, enthusiastic and committed public representative in North Cork. John Paul who is currently on a career break from the HSE South to focus full time on local politics is involved in a number of community and voluntary groups in the area including:
Laharn Community Action LTD; John Paul is currently Chairperson of Laharn Community Action LTD, which is a voluntary group who provide a variety of traditional and cultural activities within the local community. Projects including the revival of dancing at the crossroads at Laharn Cross and the renovation of the old schoolhouse in Laharn into a new Community, Cultural & Heritage Centre is a sample of the groups recent efforts.
Diadhuit Suicide Prevention Ireland; John Paul is currently Chairperson of Diadhuit Suicide Prevention Ireland who offer a free professional psychotherapeutic service to adults in North Cork who may be contemplating or have previously attempted suicide. Qualified psychotherapists offer clinical psychotherapeutic one to one support to clients who have been referred by their GP at a central location which gives the client the opportunity to talk to someone in confidence about their current thoughts and feelings and to share and learn about their situation and its dangers. This level of support allows the client with access to their dedicated psychotherapist for a 12 week period by the way of a face to face meeting on a weekly basis and direct contact by phone on a 24/7 basis if required.
Mallow Development Partnership; John Paul is a member of Mallow Development Partnership is a voluntary group made up of business, community and statutory agencies who work in or for Mallow and its hinterland with the objective to put in place and implement a structured programme to promote the town and encourage inward investment. Agencies involved with Mallow Development Partnership include Mallow Town Council, Cork County Council, Mallow Chamber, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd, North Cork Enterprise Board and RAPID. John Paul is currently Vice-Chairperson of the Tourism and Heritage sub-committee of the Partnership which has developed the innovative and attractive Mallow Historic Rebel Trail. The group is also organising the Thomas Davis Bi-Centenary celebrations for 2014.
Avondhu Blackwater Partnership Ltd; John Paul is currently an active member of the Project Evaluation Team of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, which is the integrated LEADER Partnership Company for the Mallow and its environs. The team evaluate and recommend a variety of projects from the community and business sector to receive financial assistance to assist the development of their community or business into the future.
John Paul has also been nominated by Cork County Council as a board member of IRD Duhallow which is an integrated LEADER Partnership Company for the Duhallow region. The board recommend a variety of projects from the community and business sector to receive financial assistance to assist the development of their community or business into the future. John Paul is also chairperson of the Youth & Education Working Group within IRD Duhallow who regularly meets and discusses the current and upcoming issues for our young people and identify what we can do to assist them into the future. Specific emphasis is placed on the educational needs of our young people.
John Paul is also on the board of the North Cork Enterprise Board on behalf of Cork County Council. The North Cork Enterprise Board promotes the development of micro-enterprise in North Cork by creating an enterprise culture, providing management training and mentoring services for business development and providing financial assistance in the form of refundable aid and capital grants, employment grants and assistance towards innovative feasibility studies.
Speaking this week prior to the launch, John Paul said, “The role of a local representative is to engage proactively with individuals and their communities and address any concerns or issues they may have. This is something I have achieved in the last five years and as your elected local representative, I will do my upmost, if elected by you on May 23rd next to continue this role by bringing the knowledge and experience I have gained in the last five years to the new communities within the new Kanturk/Mallow area”.
John Paul added “People are understandably disillusioned with politics having been failed by our national and local representatives in many areas in recent years. However, unless we exercise our democratic right to vote, change is not possible. I would urge people to come out on May 23rd next and vote Number 1 for O’ Shea, John Paul, an independent voice for your community.
I look forward to working with people across the Kanturk/Mallow Electoral Area as well as community and voluntary groups, development associations, sporting, farming and business organisations to help promote projects and initiatives within North Cork while also continuing to bring a new and fresh approach to politics and involving a new generation in community life”.
John Paul O’ Shea’s campaign will be officially launched in Kilshannig Community Hall, Glantane on Friday March 28th at 7-30pm. All are welcome.
John Paul O’ Shea who is running as an independent community candidate for the Kanturk/Mallow electoral area of Cork County Council in the upcoming local elections.
