GE2016 Profile: Cllr Des Guckian (Ind)

Name: Des Guckian

Occupation: Retired schoolteacher and author

Marital Status: Unknown

Priorities:

A member of Leitrim County Council, first elected in May 2014, Mr Guckian contested – without success – the Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election in 2014.

However, the 66-year-old who wrote a book on Jimmy Gralton which inspired the big screen film Jimmy’s Hall more than doubled his first preference vote to 671 compared to his previous attempt to get elected in 2009.

“I believe that Ireland, especially the West have been sold out by our chancer political parties. Together we must fight back.

“I am proposing the creation of a Special Western Development Region, within Europe, with grants and incentives to support agriculture, tourism, employments, integrated transport initiatives and a broad range of services to bring us into line with the far more developed East of the country.

“Above all, we need really fast broadband to allow people to work from home and thus regenerate this region. Emigration of our sons and daughters should no longer be tolerated.”

Cllr Guckian adds: “The political parties have let us down badly. The powers-that-be want to abolish Co Councils and local autonomy. My record as a Leitrim Councillor shows I have a sense of fairness and the ability to tackle the 'Status Quo'.”