Independent candidate, Kilmacrennan man John O’Donnell, is hoping to start a new chapter in the O’Donnell political legacy in Donegal after next Friday’s elections.
Independent candidate John O’Donnell, wants to continue the political legacy, started by his late father Eddie O’Donnell. (Pictured)
It’s almost 30 years since John’s late father, Councillor Eddie O’Donnell, was first elected on an Independent Fianna Fail ticket.
His sudden death in June 1993 left a huge void in the political landscape and saw John’s mother Anne co-opted to Donegal County Council to serve on all of her late husband’s committees.
Running as an Independent, John O’Donnell is now hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and the Kilmacrennan man is grateful to the electorate for the warm welcome shown to him on the campaign trail.
Speaking to the Donegal Daily, O’Donnell said, “I knew this election would require a lot of work but that didn’t faze me one bit because I’m used to hard work.
“What I didn’t anticipate is the groundswell of goodwill and respect that people still have for my father.
“Over the years, I often heard people speak about the great man that he was, and these sentiments have been repeated time and again during this election campaign.
“I’ve enjoyed hearing stories on the doorsteps of the many ways that he delivered for his local community.
It’s given O’Donnell, a true appreciation of all the work he did and the impact he had on people, and it’s inspired him even more to strive to deliver for the local community in the same way his father did. 
O’Donnell’s arrival on the political scene has also brought local people on a trip down memory lane.
Ramelton woman Susan Hanlon said, “When John O’Donnell came canvassing at my house last week, it was like going back in time.
“I remember his father Eddie O’Donnell sitting in this house promising to help improve our local road and more importantly, delivering on that promise.
“Eddie O’Donnell was good for all creeds and class of people and John has inherited all of those qualities.
“He’s so like his late father and I know Eddie would be very proud of him, she added.
Local politics is not the first time that the 33 year old has followed in his father’s footsteps.
Several years ago, O’Donnell set his sights on re-invigorating K & F Superwools, the business Eddie started in the early 1980’s.
Travelling to China in 2011, O’Donnell sourced a contact that would purchase wool at a top price, which in turn meant that he could pass on the benefit to farmers by paying them top prices for their wool.
O’Donnell has grown the business nationwide and currently employs a team of people around the country.
One of the reasons he’s running in the local elections is because he believes more can be done to support businesses in the county.
His strong political heritage is one of many attributes that some people believe sets O’Donnell apart from a sea of Independents in this campaign.
There can be no doubt that growing up, O’Donnell learned everything he needs to know about serving his local community from watching his parents do exactly that.
O’Donnell is convinced that more can, and should be done at a local level.
O’Donnell added, “I believe successive governments have neglected the backbone of our country – hard working families, SME’s and farming communities.
“The absolute neglect shown to the sick, elderly and more vulnerable in society is shameful.
“The constant need to prioritise Europe over our own people is ruining the fabric of our society and has forced a generation of young people to emigrate.
According to O’Donnell, the people of Donegal need a strong, independent voice to represent them at a local level and he wants to be that voice.
O’Donnell’s vision for Donegal centres around a six point plan to create a viable future for farmers, facilitate business and entrepreneurship, protect people and services, develop tourism and infrastructure, restore and renew communities and empower young people through education, training and employment.
O’Donnell is under no illusions that he has big shoes to fill and, if anything, his election experience has only reinforced that.
However, working together with the people of Donegal, he’s determined to build on the legacy started by his father, Eddie O’Donnell close to thirty years ago.
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