Former asylum- seeker runs for council

FORMER asylum-seeker Dr Taiwo Matthew is to run as an independent candidate in the local elections in Ennis, Co Clare.

The 42-year-old Nigerian medical doctor has lived in Ennis for the last five years and was granted Irish citizenship three years ago.

He is a married father -of-three and is completing postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Dr Matthew wants to build a bridge between Ennis people and some of the town’s recent arrivals.

“Ireland is a multi-cultural society and I want to reflect that by getting elected to Ennis Town Council,” Dr Matthew said.

“I also want to make a strong case for people with disabilities and help integrate them into society.”

He believes people must get involved in politics if they want to improve the community.

“If you want to influence what’s going on, then politics is the place to do it,” he said. “I worked as a doctor for 12 years but even then you can’t influence decisions because you are working down the line.”

Dr Matthew is passionate about health issues and opposed to the planned down-grading of the A&E department at Ennis General Hospital.

“The population in Ennis has increased in recent years, so we have to ensure this doesn’t happen,” he said.

Crime prevention and the environment are among Dr Matthew’s other priorities if elected to office.

“An elderly couple walking down the street at night should be guaranteed they are safe,” he said.