A GALWAY computer expert and disability rights campaigner who intends to run as a candidate in the next general election has held discussions with the Labour Party.
Eamon Walsh, board member of the Brothers of Charity in Galway and chairman of the Hope4Disability campaign, has declared his intention to run as an independent either in Galway East or Galway West.
Mr Walsh says the rights of people with disability, the state of the health service, and the difficulties faced by small businesses would be his main focus. However, he also believes voters are looking for a new socio-economic model to create a fairer society.
He said he had been contacted by the Labour Party, which has to find a replacement for Michael D Higgins in Galway West.
Mr Higgins, who has declared his interest in the presidency, has confirmed he will not run for the next Dáil. Mr Walsh said the talks were exploratory as he understood there were several Labour councillors in both constituencies who could be seeking nominations.
A Labour Party spokesman said Mr Walsh had been interviewed by the party’s candidate selection interview board, but “as of the moment, he is not running as a [Labour] candidate”.
Mr Walsh’s son Peter (13) has an intellectual disability and autism. The family lives in Headford, Co Galway, and he employs a staff of five at his company, Uilig Technologies, in Briarhill, Galway.
Mr Walsh previously worked with Nortel and other multinationals, and said he appreciates the struggles faced by small businesses.