Labour selects three in Dunshaughlin area

The Labour Party has selected three candidates to contest next year"s local elections in the Dunshaughlin electoral area. John King, who has contested local and general elections for the party in the past, will be joined by Dunboyne-based youth worker, Michael McLoughlin, and Ratoath native, Niamh McGowan. John King has been living in Ashbourne for almost 30 years and has been involved in water supply, anti-water charges and anti-bin charge campaigns as well as campaigns for primary schools and second-level schools in the town. He reorganised the Garden City and Crestwood Residents" Association and this estate of over 800 houses has since won the Pride of Place award for the best-kept housing estate in Meath for two years running. He has become the spokesperson for Ashbourne commuters in their dealings with Bus Eireann and arranges annual meetings with the company to discuss ongoing issues. He is also a local co-ordinator of Neighbourhood Watch in Ashbourne. Michael McLoughlin is a 38 year-old member of the Dunboyne branch of the Labour Party and has been a member of the party for over 21 years. He is currently the party"s international secretary and also represents the party on the National Forum on Europe. He is a manager with YouthWork Ireland and is married to Joanne Rourke from Kells. They have one daughter. Niamh McGowan was born and spent her early years in Ratoath, where both her parents taught in Ratoath National School. She currently lives in Ashbourne and is a practising barrister, specialising in employment, labour and equality law. She previously worked in the business sector, primarily for the Jefferson Smurfit Group in Ireland and the UK. 'I am honoured and delighted to have been chosen by Labour to run in the local elections next June,' she said. 'As a working mother of two young children, I have a good understanding of the needs and concerns of many people and families in Ashbourne, Ratoath, Dunshaughlin and across south Meath. 'I believe we have to do more to improve the quality of life of people in south Meath, and Meath County Council has a central role to play in that,' she said. 'I am looking forward to the campaign and to getting out and meeting people and groups in the coming days and months,' Ms McGowan added.