Poll topper Bonner keeps community ‘at the heart of every decision’

Meath East Candidate Focus: Joe Bonner (Independent)

Independence in politics “isn’t a limitation but a strength” that's according to general election candidate and Ashbourne Cllr Joe Bonner who is vying for a seat in Meath East.

With over 20 years of experience in local government, Bonner says that being free from the constraints of party influence, allows him to focuses solely on "delivering tangible results for his community."

The Donegal native who has called Meath his home for more than 40 years topped the poll with 2,685 votes in June's local elections.

In 2019 the local representative also headed the poll with 2,140 first preference votes.

He was first elected to Meath County Council in 2004 as an independent councillor.

A champion of environmental responsibility, Bonner launched his award winning Community Recycling Days in 2005, leading to the disposal of 3,000 tonnes of waste and earning national recognition for sustainability.

Bonner says his commitment to his constituents goes beyond funding and policy and that he keeps the community "at the heart of every decision, maintaining an open line of communication through regular updates, public meetings, and a promise to listen and act. "

His priorities include modernising infrastructure, ensuring safe roads, securing reliable public transport, and advocating for housing, healthcare, education and care of the aged.

Bonner says he is proud to have been involved in securing funding for critical local projects, including €1.95 million for flood relief, €2 million for N2 road improvements, €200,000 for road safety initiatives, and €1.5 million for community infrastructure upgrades.

A consistent poll-topper, the Ashbourne cllr feels his success is rooted in his "accountability, independence, and determination to make a difference."

He added that for over 20 years, he has "delivered results, not promises."

Earlier this year residents in Ashbourne fighting to save their only green space won a high court case stopping the development of 30 apartments on land near their estate, an issue Bonner engaged with the community including holding meetings on how to proceed.

In 2021 An Bord Pleanála granted permission for 30 apartments on the only green space in Millbourne estate in Ashbourne. The decision followed many prior rejections and protests from locals.

Following public pressure the land was rezoned to public open space, however, planning permission for the three apartment blocks was granted under a previous county development plan meaning that decision still stood unless a judicial review initiated by the estate was successful.

Millbourne Resident’s Association together with the community raised an astonishing €45,000 to cover legal costs in what was to be a David vs Goliath type battle.

Earlier this year Bonner confirmed that he had engaged in discussions with political parties in the shadow of the then looming election.

The Ashbourne councillor told the Meath Chronicle at the time that he always responded to invitations to meet anyone but stressed that he had not initiated the discussions and that the request to meet him had “come the other way”.

“They asked to meet me, I did not ask to meet them”, he said. He said that he had had approaches from “all the major political parties except one” to meet up. He did not say which party had not approached him.

Cllr Bonner staunchly maintained his longstanding status as an Independent on Meath County Council saying that he had built up “great capital” as an Independent.

On Background... Joe Bonner

Ashbourne Cllr Joe Bonner was first elected to Meath County Council in 2004 as an independent councillor.

The Donegal native who has called Meath his home for more than 40 years topped the poll with 2,685 votes in June's local elections.

In 2019 the local representative also headed the poll with 2,140 first preference votes.

A champion of environmental responsibility, Bonner launched his award winning Community Recycling Days in 2005, leading to the disposal of 3,000 tonnes of waste and earning national recognition for sustainability.

His priorities include modernising infrastructure, ensuring safe roads, securing reliable public transport, and advocating for housing, healthcare, education and care of the aged.