Shane Mulligan, Liberty Republic
A family man, Shane is married to Michelle and they have two children, Leo the tortoise and Simon the cat. They're all passionate about the GAA and Shane's involved in his local Aughnamullen GAA club's committee and sub committes.
Shane self employed and works in tree surgery, site clearance and is a forestry contractor.
What's the last film you enjoyed watching? Everything is a Rich Man's Trick & Confessions of an Economic Hitman
Why did you enter politics?
I was always interested in politics and joined Liberty Republic because I was appalled by how the FF and FG government treated concerned citizens protesting at the installation of IPAS centres in their communities. When the war in Ukraine began, the Irish government promised us that Ukrainian women and children affected by the conflict would be coming here. This did happen initially, but soon it became clear that it wasn't just Ukrainian women and children arriving, but bus after bus load of single middle-aged men from around the world.
The government made one promise but what was happening in our towns and villages was completely different. It frustrates me when the hardworking people of this country are treated like fools. We can see what has happened.
When communities raised their concerns, the government failed to engage in any meaningful dialogue with them. What happened next was even worse. Peaceful protesters, including many Irish women and children, were set up with batons and pepper spray by the public order unit simply for trying to protect their communities. If you couple that with Helen McEntee's Hate Speech Bill, it is easy to see that the government of the day has no desire to engage, communicate or negotiate with the people. They want to silence you, either by using the public order unit or throwing you or putting you in Jail for speaking out. This, folks, is the definition of tyranny.
Where do you sit on the political spectrum?
Centre - exactly where you would expect to find common sense policies and real science centre stage.
What is your main campaigning issue?
Stop the reckless open border policies.
What would you do in government to address it?
Implement and enforce/perform on existing legislation, lobby with other nationalist parties to demand reform of our immigration system.
We would restore the people's right to initiate referendums, which was removed without public approval. This would empower citizens to challenge government actions directly, addressing issues like open-border policies, bank bailouts, housing hoarding, and attacks on free speech.
Put these in order of importance?
1. IMMIGRATION; 2. Housing; 3. Health; 4. Education; 5. Roads; 6. Job creation & policing; 7. Defence
Can we afford more refugees?
No - we don't have anywhere near the required level of services or accommodation.
What's the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises?
Stop dead the United Nations Solar Radiation Management programme (a mind boggling programme designed to block out the sun) - SRM. Leave the cows alone. Help not hinder the farmers.
Do we need state-run childcare facilities?
Yes absolutely, in combination with private services.
One way to help revive towns and villages?
Bring some real, high end, start up companies so we don't have to commute to Dublin every day. Better broadband and fix the potholes.