Cllr Oliver Morgan (centre) speaking at his campaign launch on Friday surrounded by supporter John Callan (left) and Cllr Frank Godfrey (right), who endorsed his work on the night
Dundalk Town Councillor Oliver Morgan has lodged a complaint with local gardaí after his Facebook account was hacked last week.
It is not known what action the alleged hacker took when accessing the local councillor’s page but it has since been restored.
The hacking came in the build-up to Cllr Morgan’s local election campaign launch in the Imperial Hotel last Friday, in which he thanked all those who supported him since first being elected as a Fianna Fáil representative in 2009.
He said: “As you know, I was first elected to Dundalk Town Council five years ago in June 2009 and since then I have tried my very best to represent and to work for all my constituents. Even when I was going through a very dark period when I was falsely accused of wrongdoing and later fully vindicated you remained loyal to me with your support and encouragement.”
Despite that traumatic experience, the Meadow Grove man – who on this occasion is running as an independent candidate – feels he is a better public representative having gained experience in the last few years.
“Over the last 5 years I learned a lot about politics, especially about local politics, and I genuinely believe I made a real contribution to the day-to-day workings of our local Town Council and its deliberations.
“I believe I have the distinction of having submitted more motions for change and more questions for answers than any of my fellow members.
“I have worked diligently for my constituents in housing and benefit related matters.
“You may recall my success, after several years of neglect and stalling, in having the square at Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamor, cleared of rubbish and set on the road to recreational re-development.
“At every opportunity in the Council chamber I raised the matters that affect the lives of ordinary people including anti social behaviour, public lighting, local flooding issues and wasteful spending by our officials,
“I have taken every opportunity as an elected representative to hold our National Government to account over such issues as:
- Property Tax – A full years payment due for 2014.
- Child Benefit – Down €10 per month for 4th and subsequent children.
- Prescription Charges – Rises to €2.50 an item.
- Pensions – Stamp Duty on Pensions rises to 0.75%.
- Medical Cards – Over 35,000 older people will lose the Medical Card.
- Telephone Allowance – The €9.50 per month allowance for our elderly will be abolished.
- Jobseeker’s Allowance – Cut to €100 a week for those aged 18 – 24.
- Bereavement Grant – The Grant of €800 completely cut.
- College Fees – Increased to €2,750 this year and €3,000 in 2015.
- Maternity Benefit – Cut to €230 a week costing this year’s mums €832.
- First-Time Buyers – Mortgage Interest supplement closed to new entrants.
- Old Age Pension – Now moved up to 66 years.”
He added that over the next five years he intended to continue to highlight issues such as homelessness in the community, Woman’s Aid, Simon Community and LGBT matters
He also vowed to fully represent socially disadvantaged groups, the unemployed, the elderly, the physically and mentally impaired, and the socially sidelined.
