Article Sponsored by Paul Barry McKinney, Independent candidate for Carndonagh LEA
Paul Barry McKinney is a small business owner with deep connections to his local community in Carndonagh.
That is why he wants change, and in running for local election, he promises to bring a fresh fight for the people of Inishowen.
The Independent candidate is asking for your number one vote:
- I will fight to reopen the daycare services, elder care, and all hospital services.
- I will fight to cut the red tape on planning permission for ordinary people.
- I will fight to get families impacted by defective blocks and concrete a complete solution.
- I will fight for fishermen and farmers who are being destroyed by quotas and unfair prices.
- I will fight to stop frivolous spending and publicly call out corruption where I see it.
- Public housing built for Irish families and stop vulture funds stealing our country piece by piece.
Paul Barry Mc Kinney, known to his friends as Barry, is a 34-year-old outdoor education instructor from Carndonagh, Donegal. He is recognised for his work with youth groups, schools, and charity organisations through his company, Adventure Summer Camp, situated in Bunagee, Culdaff.
Barry is not a career politician and has no affiliation with any political party or candidate. He has chosen to run in the election because he believes that the people of North Inishowen lack proper representation. He feels that most politicians are vague on policy, out-of-touch with their constituents, and primarily focused on aiding each other rather than addressing the needs of Donegal. Barry intends to run as an independent candidate to avoid external influences from Dublin dictating what is best for Donegal.
Barry McKinney
Barry sees a multitude of issues plaguing Inishowen, including the dismantling of hospitals and health services, the decline of rural businesses, post offices, schools, and public transport, and the crumbling state of homes due to government incompetence. He argues that mandates from Dublin and Brussels are disconnected from local realities, adversely affecting fishermen, farmers, and the asylum and immigration system. While he acknowledges that some issues may be beyond the scope of a councillor to resolve, he is determined to be a voice of reason in the council and advocate for those who have long been ignored.
With a profound love for Donegal, Barry has always dreamed of returning home to start an outdoor education business, buy a house, and build a family. He feels that Donegal has been neglected for too long and is passionate about making a positive change. Barry is committed to fighting for Inishowen and ensuring fair treatment for its residents, as encapsulated in his campaign slogan, “Fighting For Inishowen.”
About Me:
At 34, I am the youngest candidate by about 20 years in North Inishowen. I lived in Taiwan for 7 years teaching English, then working as a marketing manager for a tech company. I came home 2 years ago with my wife when I started Adventure Summer Camp in Bunagee, Culdaff, where we teach rock climbing, and kayaking, and facilitate outdoor education. I am a passionate advocate for getting kids involved in outdoor education for positive mental health.
I am running in this election to represent local people’s issues, such as the 100% Redress for defective blocks and concrete-affected families, getting funding to expand health services and elder services in Inishowen, fighting to get Donegal fishermen and farmers a fair deal, cutting absurd red tape on planning permissions(especially for first time home builders), building our infrastructure to attract tourism jobs in the area so younger people have options to work here, and expanding the citizens advice department to include a grant application specialist so average people can avail of the funding and grants instead of only large companies and those ‘in the know’.
I’ve always been a vocal advocate for local charity and community groups and recently have been helping The Men’s Shed achieve charity status and get funding, as well as meeting with the local groups trying to restore health services and stop the planned closure of the convent.
To be as transparent as possible, I make short videos to upload to my Facebook page about some of the core issues and give my opinion. These videos gain 1-4k views with absolutely no paid promotion. My reception at the doors when I have been canvassing has been overwhelmingly positive. The sentiment that is repeated time and time is that people are sick of the party politics and the career politicians. “How can someone who has been on the council for 20+ years suddenly be running on ‘change’?”
My campaign is funded entirely by myself and my wife. I have accepted no private donations, and have turned down 2 offers to join political parties who offered to fund my campaign entirely when they noticed the traction I was getting online. I believe it’s impossible to be an advocate for my community if my orders come from Dublin.
Get in touch:
Tel: 083 016 1907
Facebook: www.facebook.com/barry.m.kinney
