Milford community worker Declan Meehan has announced that he will contest next year’s local elections as an independent candidate in the Milford Electoral Area.
Meehan last ran for a Donegal County Council seat in 2019. Since then, he has been working as Manager of Milford & District Resource Centre.
He said the role has allowed him to achieve and deliver a lot for the electoral area.
“I am focused on delivery for people and communities – that’s what drives me, and it’s why I want to run for Council,” Meehan said. “Since 2019 I have secured almost €1.8 million in funding for the local area, including €900,000 for capital projects. That’s without being a Councillor. I take great pleasure working in community development – both professionally and voluntarily. It allows me to deliver real results for the local community, making a tangible difference in the area. I’m proud of my record over the past four years, and I want to build on that for the next five years as a Councillor – for all of the electoral area.”
Meehan is also Chairperson of Ray Community Centre and has been since 2020. He is also a Director of Donegal Local Development Company and Chairperson of the Swilly-Mulroy Community Health Forum. Over the past four years Meehan has secured funding for – and led out on – projects such as the new Astro pitch, community garden and outdoor play area in Ray; the Milford Streetscape Enhancement Initiative; the Town Centre First Plan in Milford; and the Swilly-Mulroy Community Mobility Bus. He led the efforts to secure a building for a new community centre in Milford, by working with the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation who gifted their former building to MDRC.
“I have demonstrated that I am an effective campaigner, advocate and lobbyist for the local area by securing funding for vital projects” Meehan said. “I believe people have had the opportunity over the past four years to get to know me better as a candidate – through my work and my values. I have also worked very hard for individuals on various issues, and this is something that really drives me – helping people.”
Meehan said the focus of his campaign would be building better communities. “That’s what I’ve been working on for the past four years. This is about delivering amenities, facilities and services that are needed that would improve everyone’s lives in the area: housing, transport, community and sporting infrastructure, education, policing, and health services. We’ve seen additional pressure on all our services due to an increase in population – I want to fight to ensure public services match that, fairly.” Meehan secured €150,000 in 2022 for a youth service for the district, working with young people who are not in education, training or employment, as well as over €500,000 at the start of 2023 for community services from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Meehan is personally affected by defective concrete blocks. “This is obviously a huge issue for a lot of people in the Milford Electoral Area, and one which I know inside out. I know the pain it causes, and I know how difficult and inadequate the current redress scheme is. It’s another reason I want to run in these elections – we need better representation on this issue that affects so many people, and I believe I will deliver that.”
Meehan is originally from Milford, now living in Ray, and is married to Dr Pádraig McGuinness, who is one of the GPs in Fanad. He has a degree in History, a Master’s in Politics, and a Postgraduate Certificate in both Human Rights Advocacy, and Charities Law and Governance.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to engage with people across the Milford Electoral Area and to meeting people on the doors to hear what they have to say about where we live and the issues they face” Meehan concluded. “I can only promise this: that I will continue to do my best for everyone everyday. If anyone wants to contact me they can do so on 085 194 7339.”
The 2024 local election is expected to take place on the same day as the European elections on June 7th 2024.