Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Ali Farren, Joy Beard and Denis McGee have all been elected in Donegal. 100% Redress Party

Three candidates from party campaigning for Mica redress elected in Donegal

Ali Farren, who topped the poll in Donegal’s Carndonagh LEA, told The Journal that it was a “powerful result” for the party.

LAST UPDATE | 9 Jun 2024

THREE CANDIDATES FROM a political party campaigning for 100% redress for homeowners affected by defective building materials have won seats in the Donegal local election. 

Ali Farren from the 100% Redress Party topped the polls in the Carndonagh LEA with 2,253 votes, comfortably exceeding the 1,588 quota to be elected on the first count.

Joy Beard, the party’s candidate in the Buncrana LEA, was elected on the first count with 1,587 first preference votes. 

Denis McGee, who stood for the party in the Glenties LEA, was elected on the tenth count. 

Speaking to The Journal, Farren said:

From a small acorn, mighty oaks grow – that’s what the 100% Redress Party is doing here in Donegal.

“We were formed eight months ago, and now we have two elected councillors. A powerful result today,” he said.

“The people have spoken. We have two schemes that are not fit for purpose and we need a better scheme.”

As counting continues across Donegal, party chairman Tomas Devine is polling well in the Letterkenny LEA.

However, Éamonn Jackson, the former chair of the Mica Action Group, failed to take one of the three available seats in the Milford LEA, while healthcare worker Charles Ward lost out on a seat in Lifford-Stranorlar.

The 100% Redress Party, which was formed last year, has been campaigning to secure “a genuine 100% redress scheme for all those affected by defective concrete products”. 

The mica scandal first made headlines in 2021 when homeowners saw concrete blocks used to build their homes and were beginning to crumble.

The government introduced a scheme in November 2021 to support affected homeowners to remediate their home, with the scheme being enhanced last summer.

The Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme allows affected homeowners in counties Clare, Donegal, Limerick, and Mayo to apply for a maximum grant of €420,000. Sligo is also set to be added to the scheme

Farren previously told The Journal that the party was formed because the candidates felt “there was nobody being a real, true voice for us”.

“We believe in the democratic way. If we’re successful, we will have a voice at a council table, and we will consider running candidates – provided we get a good enough vote – for the Dáil elections,” he said.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
11 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran FitzGerald
    Favourite Ciaran FitzGerald
    Report
    Jun 9th 2024, 6:20 PM

    Two great candidates who ran a great campaign. They were the talk of inishowen- fair play to them!

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean oSuilleabhain
    Favourite Sean oSuilleabhain
    Report
    Jun 9th 2024, 7:04 PM

    Two great people. FG FF legacy right there and I hear inept housing minister O’Brien has gotten a relative elected as have others. Sure isnt that the fianna fail way, gorge!

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom
    Favourite Tom
    Report
    Jun 9th 2024, 6:09 PM

    But their not the government.
    It’s TD’s you need.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred North
    Favourite Fred North
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 1:41 AM

    @Tom: *they’re

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lilian Daly
    Favourite Lilian Daly
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 6:27 AM

    @Tom: We, the ordinary taxpayer, should never have to pay compensation for the failings of private companies. I live in Cork!!

    55
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M To The B
    Favourite M To The B
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 6:49 AM

    @Lilian Daly: lucky you

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Money
    Favourite Sean Money
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 1:41 PM

    @Fred North: what

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnthonyK
    Favourite AnthonyK
    Report
    Jun 9th 2024, 9:13 PM

    Well, if all politics are local, then this epitomises it. Fair play to them.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Gorman
    Favourite James Gorman
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 10:53 AM

    Basically give me a brand new A rated house for a 20 year old D rated house and I don’t have to make any co-payment even though the new house is worth 35% more

    That’s some shakedown of taxpayer

    And majority of these house are large and good few owned by well off people in NI judging by the Northern reg Land Rovers and X5s in Parnell St car park at the protest in Dublin

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BarryH
    Favourite BarryH
    Report
    Jun 10th 2024, 4:16 PM

    Crazy move! They may have 3 Councillors but they have ‘upset’ the Govt parties, who were about to hand them a mega deal and pursued a quick payout instead of pursuing those who were ultimately responsible. Even if they get 3 TD’s, who are they going to align themselves with to get the deal they want and a deal the taxpayers don’t want??

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds