Cork's youngest councillor elected

A 19 year old student, heading into his second year of college, has become the youngest member of Cork County Council.

Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) from Ballygarvan told the Cork Independent that he is still in shock after being elected to one of Carrigaline’s six council seats at the weekend.

Cllr Dalton-O’Sullivan, who is an undergraduate in Government Studies at UCC, feels that he will represent young people who may feel disconnected with their local council.

“When I decided to run, my friends had no connection whatsoever to the local council.

“Adults are grand for approaching councillors but when it comes to young people applying for SUSI grants, or if they have an idea to start up a community project, I want to represent young people that way,” he said.

“I think there's a disconnect. The turnout for young people is always low and I suppose that's because they don't have any connection to their local council,” he added.

He also stated his intention to create a better relationship between the council and elderly people living in rural areas.

“I was surprised because you always hear that the elderly are traditionally Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, but there was a disconnect with them as well, especially out in the rural areas where I was canvasing.

“They hadn't seen a politician at their door for 20 years,” said Cllr Dalton-O’Sullivan.

“I knocked on the door and said 'look, I'll do my best for you for five years if you give me a chance', and they did. I'm not in there to change the world. People want me there to get the basics right,” he concluded.