Youngest candidate is keen to bring fresh views to Mayo politics
Antoinette Peyton is contesting the Swinford Local Electoral Area for Fine Gael.
Antoinette Peyton is aiming to create history next Friday by becoming the first female councillor to represent the Swinford Electoral Area.
The 23-year-old from Killasser will be the youngest candidate on the ballot paper.
“Politics has always been something I have been interested in,” Antoinette told the .
“At the moment, there are only two females amongst the 30 councillors on Mayo County Council, so that is a core reason why I am putting my hand up.”
Antoinette graduated from the University of Galway with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a BA in Law, Sociology, and Politics last year and is now working for Dillon-Leetch & Company Solicitors, based in Ballyhaunis.
“I am passionate about my community, and I believe I have a lot to offer,” the Fine Gael candidate remarked.
“It has been a whirlwind of a couple of months but I have to say it has been a great experience canvassing and meeting the people.”
When talking to the public, Antoinette has outlined a number of changes she wants to implement if elected.
“I hope to be a strong voice for the local community and I think it is important that we have a young voice on Mayo County Council.
“I will work night and day to seek necessary funding for community development. One of my main priorities would be that local authority funding goes into local infrastructure.
“As the youngest candidate in Mayo, I am also well aware that one of the most urgent issues we face is the access of youth seeking employment opportunities. We need to do our very best to reverse this decline in our rural areas and make our local towns and villages thrive where young people can secure employment.”
Antoinette says people have also voiced their plea for an improvement in childcare facilities.
“This is something we have to push for,” she said. “If parents don’t have childcare facilities and they can’t go to work then they can’t provide for their families.”
Antoinette, who comes from a farming background, also wants to increase security around rural communities.
“It has come to my attention that older people and farmers have been broken into and we need to help this with extra policing in rural areas.
“As a farmer's daughter, I’m familiar with the amount of red tape our farmers have to deal with. I understand the importance and the value of our farming and rural communities and I will be a strong voice for them.”
Antoinette welcomed Taoiseach Simon Harris to Mayo last Sunday and thanked Maria Walsh MEP and Alan Dillon TD for their support during her campaign.
