Longford Elections: Local election hustings and open day at IWA Kenagh

Over fifty people attended the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Kenagh local election hustings and open day on Thursday, May 23.
The attendance included members, staff, IWA Longford Branch committee and volunteers, Linda Tierney IWA Area B Manager, six local election candidates Cllr Mick Cahill, Cllr Colm Murray, Cllr Paul Ross, Cllr Seamus Butler, Cllr Pat O’Toole and Kevin Hussey.

Noelle Gillen, IWA Service Coordinator, said an apology was received from local election candidate Sean Mimnagh who could not attend.
IWA member Samantha Thomsen outlined that the event provided IWA members with the opportunity to have their say on the issues that matter to them and to let those seeking election know about the issues impacting them and to open up conversation regarding what people with disabilities want and need to live independently in their homes and local communities.

Ms Gillen said IWA members were strong and powerful in their speeches highlighting issues impacting them.
“These included poor access due to footpaths not being safe or people parking on them and having to go on the road to get around them. No ramps for wheelchair users to access certain bank branches and the post office.

“Lack of wheelchair taxis and their high cost. There should be better entitlements on their travel pass to use wheelchair accessible transport, the Local TFI buses are not accessible and members are seeking to get a pedestrian crossing at the cinema junction in Longford town for safer access.”