Prominent Limerick solicitor to run in local election

SOLICITOR Michelle Hayes has announced that she will run as an Independent candidate in the local election in the Cappamore-Kilmallock area.

Ms Hayes is from the Murroe and Boher parish with strong family roots in Oola and Doon. She is a practising solicitor in Hayes Solicitors - a family business in Limerick city.

Ms Hayes is also the president of Environmental Trust Ireland and has a track record of advocating for people in complex legal and environmental issues.

Ms Hayes has been leading a campaign against the Irish Cement incinerator and the burning of tyres and other hazardous substances in Mungret.

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"I have challenged the granting of an incinerator licence at great personal risk to the Court of Appeal and a decision is awaited shortly. It is very difficult for an individual to take a case of this magnitude against such powerful adversaries, in this situation, a multinational conglomerate Irish Cement, the EPA, the State and ironically Green Party, Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, who supports the incinerator," said Ms Hayes.

The Limerick solicitor made submissions three years ago to City and County Council to include a new public hospital in the development plan.

"I made a number of suggestions to expedite procedures and investigations in a busy, pressurised A&E department including the presence of a doctor at the triage stage. Nothing was done and the clearly identifiable systemic failures allowed the crisis to become even worse with harrowing and tragic consequences for individuals and their grieving families," she told the Limerick Leader.

Ms Hayes said that reopening the emergency departments in St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh would alleviate the crisis somewhat.
She has also campaigned about unsafe drinking water throughout the county, saying affected individuals should get free bottled water.

"I have encouraged and empowered communities to stand up for what they believe is the right thing for their communities and families," she added.