I am delighted to introduce the ten Tipperary Labour Party candidates selected on Friday night last in the Anner Hotel Thurles to run in the Local Elections in May. For the Nenagh electoral area, Labour selected four candidates, Fiona Bon...field from Newport, Nenagh-based councillors, Cllr Virginia O’Dowd and Cllr Lalor McGee while operation transformation’s Greg Starr completes the billing. All candidates spoke passionately about trying to improve the quality of life in their communities and to give the people of their area a voice to advance local issues. Fiona Bonfield, said that despite being new to politics, she was confident could represent her area on a new Tipperary local authority. For Fiona it is all about improving community life and building on much of the great work that is already being done locally. Cllrs Virgina O’Dowd and Cllrs Lalor McGee paid tribute to outgoing councillor Jonathan Meaney and both promised to build on their previous work on Nenagh Town council and North Tipperary County council with Virgina O’Dowd promising to pioneer local tourism projects if re-elected. Greg Starr thanked that people of Tipperary for supporting him through Operation Transformation and said he hoped to ‘return some of that support by way of actions that support communities’ For the Thurles/Templemore electoral area, Cllr John Kennedy and Roscrea-based Shane Lee will be flying the Labour banner. Cllr Kennedy paid tribute to outgoing Thurles town councillor, John Kenehen while the very popular Shane Lee told the crowd that he believed Roscrea had suffered from the lack of a local labour councillor. For the Tipperary/Cashel electoral area, retired council worker, Mick Byrnes was selected. Mick, who narrowly missed out on a seat at the last local election, said he was confident he could go one better this time. For the Clonmel area, Labour selected previous poll-topper and sitting councillor, Seanie Lonergan. Seanie said it will be tough but it is very enjoyable when you know you have helped someone or brought about a change to improve your community. For the Fethard/Carrick-on-Suir area, Cllr Michael Cleere, co-opted to the council last year will be seeking to retain the seat while running alongside him will be local Labour activist Liam Hayes.