Catherine Connolly made an appearance at the Axis Art Centre and Theatre, Ballymun.
“Parties and non-party people have put aside their differences for the first time in the history of the country to say we have had enough of homelessness being normalised,” said presidential candidate Catherine Connolly at a showcase at Axis Art Centre and Theatre, Ballymun, Thursday evening.
With eight days to go until election day, Catherine came to Ballymun with a mission: to act as a symbol of hope for the people. She gave an uplifting speech to the local community present, demanding an end to the normalisation of homelessness and genocide, as well as highlighting the alarming threat climate change poses.
Connolly praised the artists and local community at the Axis Arts center for their creativity and resilience. Urging the audience to stay vocal and critical, saying:
“You need to question! You need to question me, you need to question the type of republic we have now that is utterly failing to provide for its people.”
However, when asked about the housing crisis, she was dismissive in her response, saying it’s too big a topic to speak about quickly.
She admitted the housing crisis was a huge shame in this country, pointing out that student accommodation alone is often pushed aside and that change needs to come quickly across the entire sector within this country.
From her time canvassing, she said that the people she met told her, “Nobody wants charity,” referring to the numerous charities we have in Ireland. “…we want equality, we want rights, and we want recognition for the tremendous work that is being done”
People Before Profit TD Conor Reddy gave his opinion on what impact Connolly’s presidency might have on the local community. He said, “It was surprising to see how many people with no party affiliation were supporting Connolly.” Also adding “We actually can make a difference, we can make a change when we stand together,” he said, hinting at a meeting planned following her potential election win with those involved in her campaign.
Former Students’ Union president of DCU, Karl Ormsby had this to say on the matter:
“Young people in this country are the children of the Celtic Tiger and, for a long time, have felt left out of politics. Catherine is doing an excellent job of bringing them back into the loop.”
He went on to explain how students appreciated him coming into student politics with no political backing. Young people simply possess a desire for change and difference to be embraced.
He has carried on that same spirit alongside his community in Ballymun as one of the first on the scene, taking photos of the event when Catherine came to Ballymun.
He went on to explain why young people relate to Catherine Connolly:
“A reason young people have neglected and avoided politics,” he said, “is that young people have become apathetic towards the parties in power due to seeing little improvement in this country through many cycles of the same people in government.”
With students struggling to find accommodation and even jobs due to the effects of COVID hitting the job market, he added,
“I ran for students’ union to show people, especially those in Ballymun, that anyone can make it.”
The consensus throughout the event from attendees was that of hope and unity.
Catherine Connolly spent the evening surrounded by local people, students, and artists, a mix of voices that embodied the togetherness she continues to champion. She told the crowd that she is “simply a symbol of a movement,” one that calls on everyone to help shape a new republic together. Describing the moment as both historic and momentous, she praised how “parties and non-party people have put aside their differences for the first time in the history of the country” to stand together for change.
Catherine was fully booked as following her appearance at the Axis Art Centre and theatre she headed to the Ballymun Athletics Club afterwards to meet with a group of eager young athletes.
It’s clear Catherine has no plans of slowing down, and voters can have their say next Friday between 7 am and 10 pm.
