Ken O'Flynn leaves Fianna Fáil after 25 years to run as an Independent in Cork North Central

COUNCILLOR Kenneth O’Flynn has announced that he is to stand as an independent candidate in the forthcoming general election for Cork North Central, ending 25 years with Fianna Fáil. 

Mr O'Flynn said: "It has always been my intention to seek to represent the people of Cork North Central in Dáil Eireann. 

"The Fianna Fáil party leadership has not selected me to run as a candidate. 

"I am, of course, disappointed having served the party for the last 25 years and as a Councillor for the last 12 years, but it is not about the party, it is about the people of Cork North Central. 

"The people I serve locally have asked me to represent them, so with their support I will be their Independent voice in Dáil Eireann. Cork’s Northside needs a full time committed public representative in Dáil Eireann. 

"I will be that representative for all the people in our constituency."

He is seeking to follow in his father's footsteps by representing Cork North Central in the Dáil.

He said: "My Father Noel O’Flynn served the people of Cork North Central as a TD for 14 years in Dáil Eireann and has huge experience in what our area now needs and he will be coming out of retirement to assist me in my full-time constituency office and we will both serve the people of Cork North Central if I am elected to Dáil Eireann. 

"I see so many issues that need national attention. I know and work with these issues every day as a full-time councillor. 

"Housing, Homelessness, Health, Climate Change, Infrastructure imbalance between the North and Southside of the City such as the North Ring Road, Dunkettle Interchange and the Cork Limerick Motorway. 

"If I am elected to Dáil Eireann with the support of the people I will have those issues as a condition of my support to any party who will form the next government."