Sean Maher (Sinn Féin), Birr

We sent a questionnaire to all 15 candidates running in the Birr Electoral Area in the forthcoming Offaly County Council election. The responses were published in print in the Offaly Independent last Friday.

NAME: Sean Maher

ADDRESS: Rock Lane, Crinkill, Birr.

PARTY: Sinn Féin.

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

My interests include Birr Town AFC, hiking with my dogs, and also I have a deep interest in local history.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION?

As a former councillor for the Birr area I am keen to represent my community to the best of my ability, especially in the areas of housing and community activism.

WHAT ARE THE TWO BIGGEST ISSUES IN YOUR AREA?

The biggest issues in my area are housing, health services and infrastructure.

WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

The person I most admire is the former Liverpool manager, Bill Shankly, who famously said that football is more important than life and death.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU:

I grew up in the town of Birr and currently live in Crinkle. Football played a very important part of my life, as a player, manager and coach. I served for over ten years as a shop steward for SIPTU, representing workers on improving workers rights and conditions. This inevitably brought me into politics and I joined Sinn Féin over ten years ago, as it's the party closest to my values, especially around the concepts of equality and opportunity for all our citizens.