Cllr Ken O’Flynn Announced as General Election Candidate for Cork North Central

This weekend saw a double celebration for family, friends and supporters of Cllr Ken O'Flynn as Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD attended the official opening of O’Flynns new Mallow constituency office and also announced the candidacy of Cllr Ken O'Flynn for the Cork North Central Constituency in the upcoming general election.

With over 18 years of dedicated service on Cork City Council and a proven track record of his commitment to the people of Cork, Cllr O'Flynn brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication to representing the community.

As the Independent Ireland Chairperson and Spokesperson on Urban Affairs, Cllr O'Flynn has worked tirelessly to address the complex needs of both urban and rural communities within the constituency. His extensive experience as a former Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, combined with his impressive track record in local politics, positions him as a strong candidate for national representation.

Speaking at the official opening of his new constituency office in Mallow, O'Flynn said:

“I am ready to deliver for the people of Cork North Central,” Cllr O'Flynn said. “Most of the established parties have stopped listening to the people who elect them, and that needs to change. I am listening to people every single day, and I will deliver for those people. It is my goal to be elected to Dáil Éireann and whether in opposition or in government, to bring some common sense back to Irish politics.  

Speaking on the challenges faced by the people of Cork North Central, O'Flynn stated "This constituency is like a microcosm of Irish society, it stretches from Ballyin College to Little Island and from Mallow to Blackpool.  We have people from urban and rural backgrounds dealing with the many challenges they are facing as a result of government decisions over the past 4 years.  Farmers in the Golden Vale are struggling and need more support, we need to stand up for the farmers of this country and our policy on agriculture does exactly that.  We have a hospitality industry that is in terminal decline with small businesses under severe pressure as a result of spiralling energy costs and the refusal of a government to offer any serious support or reduce the VAT rate to 9%.

O'Flynn highlighted the knock on effect of hotels being used to accommodate refugees in urban areas like Mallow.  "All over Ireland we see businesses suffering as a result of the current government policy on immigration by using hotels in small towns to accommodate refugees, this is not only damaging social cohesion but is impacting our tourism, hospitality and small businesses.  This is something that will be addressed by Independent Ireland, we need to bring some common sense back to the halls of power and that is what we will do - we are a serious party and a party to be taken seriously”

In recent years, Cllr O'Flynn has been a vocal advocate for cross-border medical assistance, working closely with Deputy Michael Collins to facilitate care for those in need, especially those traveling to Belfast for treatment. This initiative underscores his commitment to the welfare of his constituents and his ability to collaborate on national issues that affect local communities.

Deputy Michael Collins, Leader of Independent Ireland, speaking at the official opening of Cllr O'Flynns Mallow Office, expressed his full support for Cllr O'Flynn’s candidacy, stating: “Ken is an outstanding politician, and we are delighted to have him confirmed for the Cork North Central Constituency. Since the first day I met him, I knew he was a man who could deliver for his people, and his local election results proved that. The people of Cork North Central have a candidate that can and will deliver on the national stage, and I am confident they will get behind Ken’s general election campaign and deliver a common-sense candidate who will put his people first.”

Cllr O'Flynn’s recent re-election to Cork City Council in 2024 with a historic 3,134 votes, topping the poll with over 1,100 votes ahead of his nearest rival, demonstrates the confidence the people of Cork have in his leadership.

Independent Ireland stands firmly behind Cllr Ken O'Flynn and his vision for Cork North Central, and we look forward to seeing him represent the constituency at the national level.