*Denis Vaughan has been elected as the new Chair of the Labour Party’s Clare branch. Photograph: Eamon Ward
ENNISTYMON’s Denis Vaughan (LAB) has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Clare Labour Party.
At its online AGM, the Clare Labour Party elected Vaughan to the post of Chair. The music promoter edged out ex local election candidate, Seamus Ryan of Ennis in a tight vote. The meeting was chaired by the party’s general secretary, Billy Sparks. The party says it has a membership of 100 in the county.
A member of the Labour Party’s international committee, Vaughan campaigned to ‘fight for fairness’. He stated, “A party that believes in decency, justice, and equality must urgently fight for a home building program, the abolition of college fees and gender equality”.
Founding Chairman of Save our Shannon, a campaign aimed to fight for Shannon Airport and Save Ennistymon’s Heritage, Denis told The Clare Echo he is the first Ennistymon man to lead a political party in Clare.
“Few realise that women in Clare earn 13.9% less than men. Decent work deserves decent pay. How can we accept this? How can we accept a 14% increase in homelessness in the state at a time when the economy is booming? Just take a walk down O’Connell Street in Ennis any evening, you’ll see with your own eyes how urgent the issue is and when you do, keep in mind Clare County Council has had one home vacant since 2006. Let’s put a stop to this nonsense, address the issues, and get our people housed, fund education, and above all recognise the critical contributions of women to building a fairer society. Let’s fight for fairness,” he said.
Marie Dunne of Ennis, Clarecastle’s Peter Magliocco, Kilrush’s Jerry Murphy, Ally Corr of Moy and Quin woman Bridget Keane have also assumed roles within the branch.
Chairperson: Denis Vaughan
Vice Chairperson: Marie Dunne
Treasurer: Bridget Keane
International Officer: Jerry Murphy
PRO: Ally Corr
Youth Officer / Membership: Peter Magliocco
