Independent candidate for the European and local elections, Malachy Steenson launched his campaign at a press conference in Buswells Hotel this afternoon.
Steenson is running in the four seater Dublin European Parliament constituency and as a candidate for the North inner city ward in the elections for Dublin City Council.
The North inner city ward takes in East Wall where Malachy Steenson has been one of the leading organisers in ongoing protests against the placement of an accommodation centre for persons who have applied for International Protection here.
Steenson said he is standing in order to highlight the concerns of the community in East Wall and the north inner city but also to give voice to those across Dublin whose communities are experiencing the same issues arising from the widespread placement of such centres mostly in working class areas.
When asked about the elections, Steenson said that it will provide an opportunity for voters to express their views by voting for and electing Independent candidates. Such views, he said, currently not being reflected by any of the established political parties.
He hopes that a strong showing by Independent nationalist candidates will lead to the election of significant numbers and the coming together of a genuine network across the state.
