Tánaiste Micheál Martin visited Drogheda on Tuesday and toured the town with Alison Comyn, who is contesting the Louth Constituency for Fianna Fáil in the upcoming General Election.  

“I was delighted to be in Drogheda with Alison Comyn, our General Election candidate for the area” An Tánaiste said.

"We met and engaged with local people, groups and community organisations, listening to their concerns and outlining our commitments on the work we have done and have left to do on the issues affecting them, such as the high cost of living, housing, health and dereliction.

"Above all, it is apparent there is a need for a strong voice for Drogheda and that is why we have nominated such a strong candidate here in Alison."

Drogheda native Alison has been a local journalist for almost 20 years, and said she was proud to show the Fianna Fáil leader what her hometown has to offer.  

“It was a great opportunity to bring the Tánaiste right to the heart of the region and let him see for himself what challenges we face and hear from the local community what needs to be done,” Alison said. 

“He received a warm Drogheda welcome, but also engaged with local groups about the serious dereliction and vacancy issues, having constructive conversations about the lack of investment, the need to return a borough council to the town, and how becoming a city would benefit the region."

The Tánaiste spent over two hours engaging with shoppers, business owners and visitors, also engaging with members of the City Status group, Love Drogheda BIDs, Drogheda Chamber, and the Derelict Drogheda Action Group. 

“It was refreshing to see someone of the level of the Tánaiste spending so much time with all sorts of groups on his walkabout,” said Dom Gradwell of Derelict Drogheda. “We felt that he left with a deep knowledge of the challenges we face with the blight of dereliction. More needs to be done to assist groups like us.” 

Bobby McCormack from the group also said the visit was constructive. “It was good to meet the Tánaiste again; Drogheda is suffering from dereliction, deprivation and neglect,” he commented. “Local and national Government must do more to support active civil groups who are doing their best to make a positive difference to their community.”