A West Clare farm leader has joined a new political alliance which will see three farmers contesting the Local Elections on June 7.
Independent candidate, Joseph Woulfe has joined Independent Ireland following recent discussions with its main political leaders in recent weeks.
Interestingly, Independent Ireland now has two candidates contesting the Kilrush Electoral Area
Mr Woulfe and Kilkee-based dairy and beef farmer, Kevin Hassett.
The alliance’s third candidate, Mathew Moroney has thrown his hat into the election ring in the Killaloe Electoral Area.
Before Mr Woulfe joined Independent Ireland, he had wrongly assumed the new alliance used a party whip system like other mainstream political parties, which is not the case.
The West Clare barber says joined the party because it is geared towards supporting rural development and tackling issues affecting people living in rural areas.
“I believe it will benefit constituents for me to be part of an alliance of like-minded people,” he said.
“Independent Ireland candidates can share ideas with others, which benefits everybody.
“There is very little difference between the main political parties who are not focusing on the needs of people living in rural Ireland.
“Deputies like Richard O’Donoghue are straight talking. I share their views and opinions on rural Ireland,”
Having declined appeals from Fine Gael to represent the party in the Local Elections, Mr Woulfe is making a bid to win a seat on Clare County Council for a second time.
The Clare Beef Plan chairman works three days a week cutting hair for customers in Ennis and spends another three days a week farming.
In the 2019 Local Elections, Mr Woulfe came very close to winning a seat as an independent securing 1,034 first preferences, which was higher than Councillor Ian Lynch on 1,026 and 56 less than Cillian Murphy on 1,110.
However, Cillian Murphy did better on transfers finishing up in the sixth count with 1,513 just shy of the official quota of 1,530.
In addition to campaigning against over regulation for farmers, Mr Woulfe cites the need for more affordable housing in West Clare, the restoration of 24-hour casualty services at Ennis.
Sharon Dolan D’Arcy covers West Clare news. After completing a masters in journalism at University of Galway, Sharon worked as a court reporter at the Sligo Weekender. She was also editor of the Athenry News and Views.