Labour Party Mallow Councillor Eoghan Kenny was selected by party members on Wednesday evening to contest the forthcoming General Election in the constituency of Cork North Central, vowing to “protect Mallow’s voice in Dáil Éireann if elected by the people of Mallow and surrounding areas in Cork North Central.”
“If Mallow wants to retain a TD from the town of Mallow, then I am that Mallow candidate,” said Cllr Kenny. I grew up in Mallow, I was schooled in Mallow, I’ve hurled for Mallow, and I represent Mallow in County Hall. I want to continue that Mallow tradition laid down by Joe and Seán Sherlock. Mallow has to have a voice in Dáil Éireann.
“Now that the town of Mallow has been put in with the Northside of Cork City to form a new Cork North Central constituency, it’s possible that Mallow will no longer have a TD in the next Dáil.
“Without a Mallow voice in Dáil Éireann it will affect investment in services and job creation. We need a TD that knows Mallow and is of Mallow stock. We need a TD that will retain a full time, fully staffed office in the town.’
“I am asking the people of Mallow to support me as their Mallow voice, regardless of party politics and allegiances.
“I want to be the voice that continues to seek to deliver the Mallow Relief Road, the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway, protecting ambulance cover in Mallow, protecting and maintaining services in Mallow General Hospital. We must continue to expand on train commuter services secured by Seán Sherlock TD, to see school investments and housing delivery. To do all this and more, I need the people of Mallow’s backing, and I am looking forward to continuing my conver-sations with the people of Mallow on the doors again, in the weeks and potentially months, ahead.
“If we don’t elect a TD in Mallow, we won’t have the budget to keep the office open and to keep Úna Sherlock employed. No office, no Úna. I’m afraid it’s as stark as that.  That’s why electing me, ensures that we can continue the work of representing and fighting for people and their everyday rights and entitlements.
“Without a TD from the town who knows the town, Mallow will have no voice and no advocate,” he said.