Cllr Nigel Dineen to run for Independent Ireland in local elections

Cllr Nigel Dineen will be running in the forthcoming local elections for Independent Ireland. In a post on social media earlier today, Cllr Dineen said he was “delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of this progressive, common sense approach party”.

In a statement from Independent Ireland, Michael Fitzmaurice TD and the party said they were delighted to announce that Cllr Dineen had been chosen to stand for election in the Roscommon Municipal District on behalf of Independent Ireland.

Cllr Nigel Dineen has gratefully been elected to Roscommon County Council twice, first in 2014 and then in 2019. Therefore, over the past 10 years he has demonstrated his steadfast commitment to serving the people of the Roscommon Municipal District, the party said. He has served as Cathaoirleach of the Roscommon Municipal District and Vice Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Chairperson of the Council's Roads and the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, and as a member of the Castlerea Town Team.

Michael Fitzmaurice TD was among the first to congratulate Cllr Dineen.

“Cllr Dineen has served our community for over 10 years in Roscommon County Council. His commitment to addressing the needs of the people of Roscommon, Strokestown, Castlerea, Cloonfad and all the other areas right across the constituency is unparalleled,” the TD said. “His strong advocacy for our agricultural industry, community services, rural development and mental health services have been outstanding during his time on the Council. He joins a growing team across the west of Ireland, wherein Cllr Declan Geraghty and a number of other high profile councillors have already announced they are running for 'Independent Ireland.” Michael Fitzmaurice TD continued: "I am delighted to be announcing his candidacy, His experience and passion for change align perfectly with the values of Independent Ireland. We are confident that Nigel will continue to be a strong voice for the people of Roscommon as we move forward into these crucial elections."

Cllr Dineen is a devoted husband and father to three children. He is also an avid GAA supporter having played football for County Roscommon in years past. He currently contributes to match analysis on the local regional radio station and previously managed Roscommon U21 teams to two All-Ireland finals.

Cllr Dineen has an established auctioneering practice in Roscommon and Mayo, initially starting his business in Roscommon in 2007.

From a farming background, he very much stands with the farmers of Roscommon, especially "against the crippling over regulation of the EU, of honest decent hard working farmers", the party said.

Cllr Dineen has vehemently campaigned against the closing down of vital rural services including the closure of mental health services and rural post offices. His late mother Breege, who passed at a relatively young age after contracting Covid, was a carer.

“She was an outstanding example of the selfless, unwavering and constant support, that carers provide throughout the length and breadth of Ireland,” said Nigel.

Upon entering this new party Nigel said: ‘I am hugely excited about this new political movement, Independent Ireland, and I know from talking to people on the ground day in day out, that there is a huge appetite for change from the status quo – this party is an opportunity to really and truly have peoples’ democratic rights and views actually represented at Government level’. He said ‘It is a coming together of strong independent voices, whom I know will bring much needed change’ Independent Ireland Leader Michael Collins said the party was delighted to welcome Councillor Nigel Dineen as our candidate for the Roscommon Local Electoral Area.”