O'Malley backs landowners in greenway controversy 

A Mayo councillor believes a contentious greenway project could be a major election factor in the Westport area.

Independent councillor John O’Malley is seeking a return to Mayo County Council. The councillor left Fine Gael to run as an Independent following a selection convention fall-out and was successfully elected to the council five years ago.

“I’m so happy to be an Independent and I wouldn’t want to be anything else,” he told the Western People.

“I have been an Independent councillor for five years now and I think that this time around people are leaning more towards Independents than anything else. They see that they are being let down by Government in a number of ways,” he added.

Cllr O'Malley has been knocking on doors right across his constituency, which takes in both urban and rural areas.

“It’s a hard slog. I would be out there for eight hours every day,” Cllr O’Malley said.

Housing is the hot topic on the doorsteps.

“That’s one of my main priorities for the next five years. Housing is a big issue, a lot of young people are leaving the country because they can’t get housing and their loved ones are afraid they might never come back,” said Cllr O’Malley.

“The housing issue is not being pushed enough and it is too difficult for people to get on the property ladder. The threshold to qualify for social housing is far too low and should be brought up and the same goes for affordable housing,” he added.

Landowners in the Clew Bay area are objecting to a proposed new greenway route which they say will cut through their fields and cause widespread ecological and environmental damage. Instead, they want an existing roadside route between Westport and Murrisk village upgraded.

Cllr O’Malley believes the project could have an influence on this year’s election in his constituency.

“The greenway out in Belclare, Transport Infrastructure Ireland want to go through farmland, they want to take down a shed, there is an 86-year old man and they want to go through his land. There is even a couple who would have to take down their clothesline, that’s how close they want to bring it to houses. 

"They are not happy at all, and I support them because I would not like it to be happening to me. It’s only when you have land and are farming land that you realise the burden that would put on you and the disruption it would cause to your way of life. It’s not right.” 

The outgoing councillor feels his constituents recognise his achievements.

“I have worked seven days a week and that is the truth. I have done my very best for people to try and get as many roads done as possible. Rural people deserve a good road to and from their homes.”