Community the focal point for new Fianna Fáil candidate - Kilkenny Live

A love of community and a passion for politics has spurred a first-time candidate to put her name forward in the upcoming local elections, in the Piltown LEA.

Jenny Catt, a native of Mullinavat is contesting the election in order to be a voice for her native parish , with the Kilkenny woman hopeful she can bring together communities in the south of the county.

"I'd love to get Mullinavat up and running again and try and get the communities in the south to come together more," she commented.

Her decision to stand for Fianna Fáil came from her lifelong passion for politics and was shaped by her father, Mick Slattery, who was an unwavering supporter of the party and was actively involved in canvassing for Liam Aylward at the outset of his political career.

Ms Catt has been heavily involved in Mullinavat life for the past number of years, ranging from fundraising committees to the local camogie team, but why politics?

"I was approached about it (running for election) to have a think and see if I would consider it and I said I would, so I thought about it for a while, spoke to them all at home and they all said 'go for it', Mullinavat needs somebody."

"I was always involved in politics, we grew up with it in the house," Ms Catt said, recalling the power some local representatives held even watching on as a child.

Fast forward to 2024 and the local woman is putting herself forward.

"Mullinavat is a very rural place, we don't have any housing estate and like all of the villages in the south, we need a bit more. You can be forgotten down here because you’re that bit away from the city," she commented.

The election hopeful wants to see more assistance given to farmers and the improvement of public transport in the area, describing it as 'atrocious'.

"My own daughter was going to college in Carlow, like she couldn’t get a bus from Mullinavat to Carlow, to get there on time. She had to move to Carlow which is outrageous," she claimed.

"I feel we need somebody there (on the council) and I know I have the energy to do it. I want to do it for our area and for the whole of the southern area," she stated.

The new candidate claimed she has received a positive reaction on the doorsteps so far and believes many of the concerns in Mullinavat are shared across the region. Ms Catt acknowledged if elected she'll only ever be as good as her last job but is eager to get the opportunity to serve.