Malachy Hand (Fianna Fáil- Athlone LEA South Roscommon)

Name: Malachy Hand 

Age: 24

Preferred pronouns: He/Him/His

Party: Fianna Fáil

Local electoral area: Athlone LEA South Roscommon

Is this your first time running? Yes 

What are your reasons for running as a young person in politics?

I come from a family that relies heavily on agriculture as a source of income. Members of both my immediate and extended family also serve the community as members of An Garda Síochána and as teachers. As such, I am acutely aware of how difficult it is for ordinary, hard-working people to make ends meet in today’s Ireland. The last thing these people need is to have their cost of living added to as a result of a lack of public services, damage to their vehicles caused by the poor quality of local roads, etc. The fact that so many people in their 20s and 30s are seeking to build homes and raise families in South Roscommon is a positive development. However, these same people are concerned for their own safety and the safety of their children when it comes to the condition of roads in South Roscommon at present. They want to see road surfaces repaired in order to avoid costly damage to vehicles and road accidents. They want to see regular hedge-trimming at dangerous bends as well as proper signage. And they want to see the proper enforcement of traffic calming measures on the area’s busiest roads such as the N61 Athlone to Roscommon Road. If elected on the 24th of May, I hope to add a renewed energy and sense of purpose as a young new member of this Fianna Fáil team on Roscommon County Council.

Youth are under represented in politics. I am a member of a generation of young people in this country who are increasingly worried about their future in a changing world. I am stepping forward in order to assist my generation in shaping their future. I have the personal qualities, the work ethic, the tenacity and the vision to work tirelessly in finding solutions for people at the heartland of national politics. I believe that there is a major disconnect between my generation and those in political life, locally, regionally and nationally. I would like to act as the connector between generations and to be in a position to make a difference for young and old through representing all needs, at a local council level.