The Labour Party has selected John McDonagh as its Galway City Central candidate for this June’s local elections.
The Shantalla native missed out on a seat in 2019 by one vote after an epic, two day recount. He was attempting to hold the city council seat held by Labour’s Billy Cameron who represented the city centre for 15 years.
McDonagh is well known in Galway city as a Community Employment scheme director for 20 years, and member of Shantalla’s residents’ association. He worked as a fishmonger and delivery driver for many years, and recently retrained as a bus driver.
“As a bus driver I can see Galway’s transport and traffic issues daily, first-hand,” he said, adding that his other priorities are housing, environment, leisure facilities and Galway’s waterways.
The professional driver says progress to convert the city’s bus fleet to hybrid vehicles should be accelerated, and that the local authority should set ambitious targets to have Galway’s taxis fully electric within the next five to ten years.
On the issue of local facilities, McDonagh called for development of more green spaces and play areas for all ages, with specific facilities for older members of the community. An issue he will pursue as a councillor if elected is the housing crisis affecting all ages across Galway, and – again – he emphasises a shortage of housing for older citizens, particularly those who are single.
As a member of the Corrib Navigation Trust, McDonagh has fought for greater development and access to one of Galway’s greatest resources; the waterway facilities in the city and surrounding areas which have been neglected over many years, he said.
