Glenfin man Martin Scanlon has confirmed he will run as an Independent candidate in the Lifford-Stranorlar MD in the upcoming local elections.
He believes there’s an ‘over emphasis’ on developing Letterkenny at the expense of other areas.
“The Lifford-Stranorlar area has been neglected, with the Twin Towns now having the highest rate of vacant properties in the county,” he said.
“Country areas have been completely neglected with no effort being made to curb the depopulation that has been taking place. In my native parish here in Glenfin, the population has dropped from over 3,600 people at the beginning of the last century to just over 1,300 people at present.”
He added the local Area Council in Glenfin has worked tirelessly to try and improve services for both old and young alike, but they are not getting the support that they deserve from either Donegal County Council or other state agencies.
“The reduction and withdrawal of important services from both St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar and Lifford Hospital would not be politically tolerated if it happened in Dungloe, Donegal Town, or Ballyshannon.”
Living in a house affected by defective blocks, he believes both the government and the council have ‘dragged their heels’ on the issue.
