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Nick Rabbitts, 9 May
SOLICITOR Michelle Hayes has announced that she will run as an
Independent candidate in the local election in the Cappamore-Kilmallock
area.
Ms Hayes is from the Murroe and Boher parish with strong family roots
in Oola and Doon. She is a practising solicitor in Hayes Solicitors - a
family business in Limerick city.
Ms Hayes is also the president of Environmental Trust Ireland and has a
track record of advocating for people in complex legal and
environmental issues.
Ms Hayes has been leading a campaign against the Irish Cement
incinerator and the burning of tyres and other hazardous substances in
Mungret.
READ MORE: Final countdown to elections under way as campaign posters
erected across Limerick
"I have challenged the granting of an incinerator licence at great
personal risk to the Court of Appeal and a decision is awaited shortly.
It is very difficult for an individual to take a case of this magnitude
against such powerful adversaries, in this situation, a multinational
conglomerate Irish Cement, the EPA, the State and ironically Green
Party, Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan, who supports the
incinerator," said Ms Hayes.
The Limerick solicitor made submissions three years ago to City and
County Council to include a new public hospital in the development
plan.
"I made a number of suggestions to expedite procedures and
investigations in a busy, pressurised A&E department including the
presence of a doctor at the triage stage. Nothing was done and the
clearly identifiable systemic failures allowed the crisis to become
even worse with harrowing and tragic consequences for individuals and
their grieving families," she told the Limerick Leader.
Ms Hayes said that reopening the emergency departments in St John’s,
Ennis and Nenagh would alleviate the crisis somewhat.
She has also campaigned about unsafe drinking water throughout the
county, saying affected individuals should get free bottled water.
"I have encouraged and empowered communities to stand up for what they
believe is the right thing for their communities and families," she
added.