Housing a personal and political priority for new Mayo councillor

THE reality of the housing crisis is one Mayo's newest councillor has first-hand experience of.

Deirdre Lawless has been looking to relocate from Galway back to her native Mayo.

However, like many others, she is a 'victim of a government that has failed us on housing'.

The Aontú councillor, who hails from Knock originally, has been formally installed as a member of Mayo County Council, having completed the co-option process to fill the seat vacated by brother Paul Lawless following his election to Dáil Éireann.

Serving in the Claremorris Electoral Area, she is eager to 'hit the ground running' and begin delivering for the region and the county.

The fact that she resides in Galway was alluded to at her ratification meeting, and in a statement she highlighted her efforts to move home to Claremorris.

She said: “Let’s be clear. For young couples in Claremorris, buying a home isn’t a choice - it’s a luxury.

“I am one of many victims of a government that has failed us on housing. If you check Daft.ie today, you’ll see one cannot even rent in Claremorris.”

Councillor Lawless reaffirmed her commitment to finding a home in the area, acknowledging the struggle that many couples face. “This isn’t just my story - it's the story of countless others in our region.

“I will use my role as councillor to fight for more affordable housing across the county, and removing the administrative barriers preventing people from building their own homes in a timely fashion, driven by the very real experiences of people across rural Ireland, people like me.”

Despite these challenges, she remains committed to moving home within the Claremorris LEA and has pledged to use her role as a councillor to advocate for increased availability of affordable housing in the region. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that young couples and families have the opportunity to live and thrive in our locality.”