My name is Kieran Goggins and I am honoured to be standing for the Irish Freedom Party in the Ballyjamesduff local electoral area. My mother’s side of the family have long standing links to the area. We are related to local families such as the Bradys, Coyles, Plunketts and Reillys. I have obtained a B.A. (hons) London in European 20th Century history. I also have an M. Litt from Bristol University in Hispanic studies focusing on politics and human rights abuses.

I aim to address the following issues if elected to the county council:

• I will refuse to work with IPAS (International Protection Accomodation Services) if they attempt to establish more asylum/ refugee centres in our area. 
• Tourism in our region has declined as a result of tourist accommodation being taken up with asylum seekers. I will start to prioritise tourism in our area again.
• Housing Minister Darragh O’ Brien (Fianna Fáil) put out an order last year to disregard “local connection” to an area when assessing social housing lists as per the Sunday Business Post. I will ensure that we House the Irish First.
• Local businesses are suffering terribly in the area due to the high cost of energy we all face. I pledge that I will ensure a reduction in council rates on our local businesses.
• I will engage with local gardaí in order to decrease crime in our area. Rural Ireland is suffering from an explosion of crime while the central government have focussed on trying to introduce their hate speech bill. I will reset the political discourse on this topic.