Independent community candidate throws hat into Offaly local elections race

Community activist Martin Buckley has confirmed his intention of running in the Birr/Ferbane electoral area in next June's local elections as an independent candidate. His campaign launch will take place in early March and he already has a team of volunteers in place.

Mr Buckley, who has a first class honours Diploma from NUIG in Community Development, is a very popular activist serving on many boards including Offaly PPN, representing social inclusion groups, Tullamore Credit Union as a Board Oversight Member and West Offaly Homefix, providing companionship and services to the elderly and most vulnerable.

His 'hands on approach' has been recognised by many in the county and in West Offaly, where he grew up in Kilcormac, before moving to Pullough.

He attended Ferbane Vocational School, now Gallen Community School. His dads Billy worked for Bord na Mona for forty years and his mam, Carmel brought up Martin and his other siblings.

After getting married to Alicea, a Healthcare Assistant with the HSE based in Tullamore Hospital, he took a career break and dedicated the next five year bringing up their two children, Summer and Joshua, now 13 and 11, and experienced the lack of services available locally to all ages before he got involved in volunteering.

Martin Buckley will be hoping his vast experience and his 'hands on' involvement establishing multi award winning Pullough Community Shop in 2017, which has rejuvenated the village and has led to a number of successful spinoffs including Pride of Place recognition, and then Offaly Volunteer Centre in 2021 supporting community and voluntary groups, will be central to his campaign for a council seat "to represent and enhance the good work of the local people for their local community''.

He feels rural Ireland and especially 'west Offaly has been forgotten about but together, we can change this.'

He has asked for those disillusioned with local politics to join his “campaign for west Offaly so collectively change, opportunities, fairness and progress can be achieved and to have your voice heard where and when it matters”.

He is widely known on sports fields throughout the midlands as a fair, friendly and respected referee with over twenty years experience at all levels in the MSL and CCFL.

Mr Buckley works in the healthcare sector advocating and supporting adults with disabilities and their families to live a more fulfilled and quality life through inclusion, community involvement, volunteering/work, training, education and other opportunities.

The local electoral area stretches from Doon/Clonmacnoise near Westmeath to Dunkerrin/Moneygall near Tipperary and promises to be an interesting election battlefield.

Those interested in joining his campaign can do so by phoning Martin on 085 7663960 or emailing WO24@gmail.com.

Said the independent candidate: "I am committed to hearing and understanding the voices of those I meet canvassing and working tirelessly to address their needs if elected.”

His campaign priorities include advocating for individuals, families and communities, protecting and promoting our heritage, improving services/infrastructure and ensuring that the needs of West Offaly are identified and met."