What do youse think of this add in next week's locals?
Val Martin makes his confession before the General election 2024.
I was born of Cavan and Monaghan grandparents on a family farm which I still own and run at Kingscourt which is an industrial area with employment. I worked in metal fabrication and could have gotten by nicely in industry and farming without ever leaving home.
I felt something pulling me and calling on me to serve. I realised it was my country Ireland, its majestic tricolour flag and its people. I joined the FCA, its reserve army while under age and then joined the Garda Siochana at 19. I retired to serve Kingscourt Community Development Council and got a lot done there. I retired completely in 2008 to farm and enjoy life.
Only now do I ask myself why I lived such a mixed up type of life and what drove me to manage it all, moving my family home six times? Only now do I realise the reason why. There can be only one answer. I love Ireland’s woods, valleys, lakes, its fields, its people, its language, its culture, arts and its gleaming flag to bits. I must have always loved her to bits. Now I feel her call again to serve her one more time in her Dail established by patriots.
It takes effort and courage, but I must answer her call in her hour of need, whether I win or lose. I have no choice but to run in this election. The people of Cavan and Monaghan will decide my fate and (perhaps Ireland’s fate also). That flag calls me, I now answer and you good voters will decide your answer in the ballot box on November 29th.
Val Martin.