Longford county councillor joins Independent Ireland

Councillor Turlough McGovern has joined the Independent Ireland party.

Party leader, Deputy Michael Collins made the announcement today ahead of the Cllr McGovern’s official launch at Leinster House in Dublin.

By joining the party, the Granard-based councillor becomes its 25th elected councillor nationwide.

Deputy Collins said he was delighted to welcome Cllr McGovern to Independent Ireland, describing him as “a man of integrity, experience and deep commitment to his community”.

Cllr McGovern previously served as Cathaoirleach of both Longford County Council and Cathaoirleach of the Granard Municipal District.

He is a prominent North Longford community activist having served the people of the Granard Municipal District since his election in 2019 when he topped the poll.

Deputy Collins said Cllr McGovern’s decision to join Independent Ireland reflected the growing momentum behind a party that stands “for common sense, accountability and fairness in Irish politics.”

He said, “Across the country, people are looking for representation that puts communities before party lines. Turlough’s record in public service and his practical approach to politics align perfectly with the values at the heart of Independent Ireland.”

“We are delighted to have him join our growing team of elected representatives. He has a proven record of standing up for the people he represents, and we look forward to working with him to ensure that Longford has a strong voice both nationally and locally.”

Speaking following the announcement, Cllr McGovern said, “I have always believed in putting local people and local communities first. My decision to join Independent Ireland is about building on that work and having a stronger platform to represent the people of North Longford.”

Independent Ireland shares my belief that rural communities must have a stronger voice and that decisions affecting local people should be driven by practical solutions rather than party politics.

“I look forward to working with the party and continuing to fight for investment, services, housing, farmers, small businesses and the future of rural Ireland.”

Cllr McGovern said his decision to join the party had come “after careful thought and reflection”, and that the principles of Independent Ireland closely reflected the issues he has championed throughout his career in public service.”

He explained, “I see the struggles people face every day, families trying to afford homes, pensioners denied medical cards, people with disabilities battling needless barriers, and working families excluded from so-called affordable housing.”

“These are issues that matter to people in North Longford and right across rural Ireland. People want to see practical action and they want politicians who will listen to them and deliver. Independent Ireland is a party that believes in practical solutions and in restoring honesty and accountability to Irish politics. It’s about delivering real change for ordinary people.”

Ciarán Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency, also welcomed the announcement stating that Cllr McGovern had been a champion for the people of North Longford for many years and had a clear vision for how he wants to deliver for the people he represents.

The MEP added, “Longford is an area of my constituency that is of huge importance, and I look forward to working with Turlough to help deliver solutions for the people of Longford and surrounding areas at a European level.”

Deputy Collins said Cllr McGovern’s decision to join Independent Ireland “further strengthens the party’s representation at local government level and its ability to stand up for communities across the country.”

Independent Ireland now has 25 elected councillors serving communities across Ireland, alongside its elected TDs and MEP, and is continuing to build its organisation with a focus on delivering fair, practical and community-based politics.