Fianna Fail unveils Trim Town Council team

Fianna Fail has announced a four-candidate Trim Town Council team for the local elections on 5th June. They are: sitting councillor Vincent McHugh, auctioneer Ronan McKenna, furniture-maker Paddy Rispin, and Cynthia Peppard, a community activist in Trim and sister of outgoing town councillor, Jimmy Peppard. The candidates were announced by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey at a meeting of the Trim cumann in Trim Castle Hotel. Fianna Fail believes that the team of four will enhance significantly the council"s effectiveness in delivering for the town. Current Fianna Fail councillors Vincent McHugh and Jimmy Peppard have created significant opportunities, such as attracting a large retailer to the town and in the development of the town centre, which the Fianna Fail team would continue to make a priority for the council, Mr Dempsey said. All four candidates were nominated by the Trim cumann and accepted by Fianna Fail headquarters after interviews. Cllr McHugh has been a council member since 1991 and is a former chairman. He is a research technician in Teagasc, and has been involved in many local organisations, such as the local Special Olympics committee. Ronan McKenna, an auctioneer living at Lackanash, says he aims to generate jobs by attracting investment into the town. He was recently elected chairperson of the Fianna Fail Trim cumann and is a member of Trim drama and musical groups, the IFA, and the Meath and Kildare Diocesan Synod and Central Council. Paddy Rispin, a furniture-maker and a member of Trim Fire Service, aims to ensure that there is sensible planning in the town. As a committee member of the Trim Tidy Town committee and a number of local sports groups, he hopes that facilities in the town, such as the new playground, are of the highest quality. Cynthia Peppard has a long history of community involvement in the town. She is a spokesperson for the Manorlands Residents" Association, in addition to being a member of the suicide support group, Save Our Sons and Daughters. She has experience in running a small business in recessionary times and plans to focus on ensuring people are supported in getting work. Minister Dempsey said: 'The calibre of the four Fianna Fail local election candidates is excellent. Each candidate brings their own blend of experience, fresh ideas and energy. I know they will work tirelessly for Trim people and contribute to building a thriving community through the town council. Having a strong Fianna Fail team at council level is vital to ensuring that Trim benefits from the large amount of national funding this Fianna Fail-led Government allocates to Meath.'