Moran launches campaign to be directly elected mayor

THE FORMER secretary general at the Department of Finance John Moran has officially launched his bid to become Limerick’s first directly elected mayor.

The Mungret man headed out to West Limerick for a launch event, joining his supporters in Newcastle West’s Longcourt House Hotel.

Among those backing him were two members of the local business community - Mary Fitzgerald of the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare and entrepreneur Karthik Gajendra originally from India and now living in Castletroy.

Addressing a crowd of around 150 people, Mr Moran described the job of mayor as “massive”.

“Don’t let any other candidates pretend this is not a big job. The role of executive mayor will be a hugely demanding role and the stakes are high if we make a mistake.”

He warned against Limerick having “a Liz Truss moment”.

This is a reference to the former British Prime Minister, who served only 50 days in office.

During that time, she presented a mini-budget which many commentators felt put Britain on an uncertain economic footing.

Mr Moran, who served alongside Finance Minister, former Limerick TD Michael Noonan in the Department of Finance during the recession, said it’s “critical” the mayoral candidate has “a passion for Limerick and making it better” alongside a “well-formulated, ambitious and realistic vision of Limerick’s future.”

READ MORE: Fear the office of mayor will be a ‘flop and not a success’

He is seeking election as an Independent, one of just two non-party candidates in the running so far.

Mr Moran has pledged to provide quarterly updates if elected Limerick’s first citizen.

Limerick people will go to the polls to elect an executive mayor on June 7.