New entry in race to become directly elected mayor of Limerick

LABOUR councillor Conor Sheehan has become the 11th candidate to declare their candidacy in the upcoming election to become Limerick's first executive mayor.

The City North member, who hails from Corbally, confirmed he would enter the contest on June 7.

At the age of 30, he is one of the youngest candidates so far on the ballot paper.

He said, if elected, he will become the 'mayor for homes', and wants to "fight for a generation of people who are being locked out of the chance to buy or rent affordable housing".

"This is a crucial time for people in Limerick who will finally have the opportunity to elect someone as the voice for our city and county. Limerick is a great place to live and work, and I want to build a Limerick where this generation and the ones after it can afford to keep a roof over their heads without having to be a millionaire," he said.

"Nearly 22,000 people under the age of 35 left Ireland for Australia alone in the last year and not because of unemployment but largely because of the housing crisis that has gripped our nation for the last decade," he said.

"An average three bed semi detached house in Limerick now costs €290’000 at the end of 2023 which is the highest price hike nationally and as three quarters of buyers are first time buyers, it is people my age who are suffering. We also have 568 people homeless and an epidemic of rough sleeping on our street," Cllr Sheehan said.

He said the new mayor's office needs "delibery not celebrity, and not just hand-wringing speeches".

"I want to be more than a chauffeur driven lobbyist, spending my time clinking glasses with officialdom. While the legislation does not fully reflect what the people thought they voted for, it is a start and I will push if elected for more devolution of powers. The role of mayor should be the preserve of ordinary people and not millionaires," he added.

Ten other people have declared their intention to contest the first ever election in Limerick for an executive mayor, with the vote taking place on Friday, June 7.

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First elected to Limerick City and County Council at the 2019 local election, Cllr Sheehan will also seek to be re-elected to the northside ward with the local election taking place the same day as the mayoral count.

Cllr Sheehan is one of three Labour members of Limerick City and County Council, the others being councillors Elena Secas and Joe Leddin.