Northside Cork city councillor keen to run for Dáil seat

AN INDEPENDENT member of Cork City Council who was re-elected with a surplus of more than half a quota has confirmed he intends to run for the Dáil at the next general election.

Topping the poll in the Cork City North East ward, Independent Ireland councillor Kenneth O’Flynn was re-elected on the first count on Saturday night with a vote of 3,134 in a ward where the quota was 1,984, giving him a surplus of 1,150.

Mr O’Flynn told reporters he was “shocked, thrilled, and very, very humbled” at the result, which he said was not only the highest vote of the election, but also, he said, he had been told by officials it was the highest vote ever recorded in Cork City Council.

He said it sent a clear message that the electorate in his ward trusted him, and that they believed in what he called “common sense politics” and that they believed that independent politicians were the future.

“It sends a very clear message to this government that we are coming for you, the people of Ireland are coming for you and that we’re are not putting up with the rubbish that is being thrown at us every day of the week, and that’s talking about NGOs (non-governmental organisations), that’s talking about ministers talking down to people rather than listening to people,” Mr O’Flynn said.

“We’re sending a very strong, clear message here from Cork city to the Government that we’re not putting up with this rubbish anymore.” He said he intended to be a candidate for the Dáil in the next general election and announced that he intends to open an office in Mallow, reflecting the extension of the Cork North Central constituency which will come into effect at the next general election.

Mr O’Flynn said the vote he had received in the local election was testament to the work he and his family had done over the decades as public representatives.

“I’ve earned the people’s trust, and that’s something that is so sacred to me, and humbling.” 

Labour Party councillor John Maher was also elected on the first count in the ward, with a vote of 2,005.