Dungiven campaigner to stand in upcoming council elections

Campaigner, community organiser and former Assembly election candidate, Niall Murphy has announced this week that he will stand in the upcoming council elections as an Independent candidate in the Benbradagh district.

Mr Murphy said he will focus on local community services, supporting families and business through the cost of living crisis and demanding value for money for ratepayers from Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

A native of Dungiven, Mr. Murphy believes his election from Benbradagh DEA will 'bring something fresh' to the Council, while 'providing the community with another strong locally focused Councillor'.

“This district already has a lot of talent at council, but there is an open seat this year, currently held by Orla Beattie from the SDLP, who is not standing again. It seems to me that this is a perfect opportunity for the voters of Benbradagh – especially former SDLP voters looking for a new and dynamic candidate to fill this seat with a candidate who, just like Orla, has an independent mind and the focus to get things done on the ground,” he said.

Niall has a long background in local community development having set up or run youth community services in the past such as The Warehouse and LATCH.

“I have deep roots in the Dungiven area and my understanding of local issues is based on the day to day interactions I enjoy with local people and business owners – as well as my engagement with people on social media,” he continued.

“It is through my ability to use digital platforms that I will create a different way of doing things if elected. Many people will recognise me from social media and my highly successful campaign on the Dungiven Bypass – which helped to force the project to completion after months of delays. I intend to use those same platforms to communicate with my constituents and if elected, give them access to me in a way that most politicians would never dream of doing. But more importantly it will allow me to open up the workings of council to the public in a way that has never been done before. I intend to show people behind the curtain.”

Niall says at a local level there are some issues that he wants to work on.

“I want to see a proper community consultation on the proposed wind farm for Benbradagh Mountain. Most people in Dungiven have no idea that such a thing is even being planned and is it any wonder, the public consultation to date seems to have been done in such a way as to deliberately keep local people in the dark. When all is said and done maybe people will be happy for it to go ahead and if they are I will vote for it at council, but only after the question has been properly asked.

“I will work to deliver local amenities. I think there is scope to develop the Old Priory site and create a picnic area providing a fantastic opportunity for families and visitors to spend time there and enjoy it properly. I would like to create a playpark for residents with children to use at the bottom of Dungiven, something that is sorely lacking. I have already identified the land on which this could be built and have secured the support of local business who stand ready to provide some of the funding required, with the rest coming through grants and Council funding.

“I will work to support the continued growth of St. Patrick’s College, Dungiven – my old school and what I regard to be an indispensable local service. First year intake for the school has been remarkably strong in recent years, with strong leadership from the principle and governors, so I want to help drive forward an ambitious 10 year plan to secure the funds necessary to completely rebuild St. Patrick’s College and create a school which will serve this community for the next 50 years.

Housing and transport links are other issues that Niall would like to address.

“I would like to explore the feasibility of creating a new link onto the new A6 at Foreglen, which would create all kinds of economic and social opportunities for Foreglen, Feeny and Gortnaghey.

“Across the whole area, housing remains a massive issue, we need more housing and more creative solutions to provide housing. I think there should be more emphasis placed on ensuring that local housing is allocated to local families – community cohesion is very important to all of us and housing policy should reflect this.”

Niall added: “Most people know me by now, either through my local community work, family connections, the Assembly Election or my online presence. I’m my own man, but I will work incredibly well with the other Councillors who get elected from this area to get things done. Yes, I will do things differently but I think people are ready for it.

“I love the place that I’m from and I want to help it grow and develop in any way that can. I believe I’ll be good for the Benbradagh district from Dungiven to Glack, Ballykelly, Greysteel and everywhere in-between.

“I hope people come out and give me their support with a first preference vote on the 18th May.”