'A very strong alignment in our ideas': Cork councillor to join Independent Ireland party

AN Independent Cork City councillor will contest the upcoming local elections and the next general election under the banner of the Independent Ireland party.

Kenneth O’Flynn, who has been in Cork City Council for 16 years, initially as a Fianna Fáil councillor until he resigned from the party in January 2020, and as an independent since, announced yesterday that he has joined Independent Ireland.

Mr O’Flynn was first elected to Cork City Council in 2009.

Independent Ireland was founded last November by Cork South West TD Michael Collins, and Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue, both former Independent TDs. They were joined in February of this year by Roscommon Galway TD, Michael Fitzmaurice.

Mr O’Flynn will be Independent Ireland spokesperson for urban affairs.

He told The Echo he had been working with Mr Collins for years, helping people to travel on the ‘Belfast or Blind’ bus to avail of cataract surgery in Northern Ireland, a service founded seven years ago by Mr Collins and by Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae.

“I think Independent Ireland is a good fit for me, it seems to be a common-sense, straight-talking party, made up of like-minded independents, like myself,” he said.

“The term ‘party’ is loose, in that it is a group that is without a whip, it is a grouping of people that are like-minded, that think alike, that see the practicalities in politics, and see a practicality of approach in how the country, and how the cities, and how the towns should be governed.”

Mr O’Flynn said his new party affiliation would not change his politics or how he would represent his constituents.

“It’s business as usual for me,” Mr O’Flynn said. “There’s a very strong alignment in our ideas between myself, Michael Collins, Richard O’Donoghue, and Michael Fitzmaurice.

“You don’t join a political party without the idealism that matches yours, and theirs matches mine.

“There’s very, very little change in my policy or in my day-to-day how I think, and the great thing for being involved in this group is there is certainly room for independent thinking.”

Mr Collins said that he had witnessed first-hand Mr O’Flynn’s dedication to the people of Cork.

“His passion and work ethic is unwavering, and his decision to extend his candidacy to both local and national elections speaks volumes about his commitment to serving the community,” said Mr Collins.

“We are proud to add another strong, poll-topping candidate to the Independent Ireland team; not only does he add many years of political experience and knowledge, Ken epitomises everything we look for in a candidate and team member.”