Community volunteer James eyes up a seat on Longford County Council

With just under a year before the people of Longford go to the polls to select their elected representatives for the next County Council the field is filling fast.

The 2024 Irish local elections are scheduled to be held in all local authorities next June, with the ballot taking place on the same day as the 2024 European Parliament election.

Putting your name on that ballot paper is not for the faint hearted. There are commitments of time and resources to consider, not to mention the responsibilities if elected.

Anyone who met James Quinn in the village of Newtownforbes would surmise his campaign has already started.

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The popular young man has a wave for every second car, which elicits beeps from the motorists.

“I am running in the local elections next summer,” the independent candidate told the Leader as he walked around the village last Friday, “it has been on my mind since the last election back in 2019.”

James hails from Prucklish, he is very active in the local community as a volunteer.

His work with the Newtownforbes Cardiac First Responders is well know in the locality.

He started out in this role through the Longford Volunteer Centre.

The decision to go before the electorate is something James doesn't take lightly: “A couple of neighbours put their names forward for election the last time out and did very well.

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“ I decided to throw my name into the ring this year as I want to highlight a number of issues that are of concern to me and my community.

“I am particularly concerned with the way the mental health service is at the moment. More resources are needed. There is an over reliance on the work of volunteers, like Pieta House, I hope that as a councillor I would be able to address that,” the council hopeful said.

James is aware of what the electorate will want from him: “I think the people of Newtwonforbes will be asking me to work on their behalf if they give me their vote. I want to offer my support to local groups, like the Tidy Towns. There are a number of local issues on the ground that I would hope to deliver on. I want to give a voice to young people. I feel there's an under representation of young people on the council and I would like to address that.”

He hopes to officially get out on the hustings as soon as possible: “I have no time frame at present. Nominations will open next March, I will have all my paperwork submitted at that stage.”

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He has already sought advice on how he should go about his campaign: “Several people have given me advice on what the demands of the role are. I have been told that I will need a thick skin to go out calling from door to door.

“The days of going around and promising the sun, the moon and the stars are gone. People have high expectations, I will be making it clear on the doorstep that I will do the best I can if I get in.”