Freedom Party's Orla eyes up general election

CARLOW woman Orla Donohoe is to run for the Irish Freedom Party in the upcoming general election. The mother of two says the “country is changing fast and we need people to stand up for what is right and especially speak up for the most vulnerable in our society, including our children”.  Orla, who was unsuccessful for the party in the local elections during the summer, has a strong background in volunteer work, particularly in the area of animal rescue. She told The Nationalist that her entry to political life “was like starting a new adventure. This was my first time involved in politics as I am not from a political family”. She said she received warm wishes on the doorsteps, which meant a lot to her as a first-time candidate. Orla said her decision to venture into the political arena is motivated by her view that we are “handing over a worse country to our children than our parents gave us and that's not how society is supposed to work. Our current so-called political leaders are failing in their duties and they are not representing the will of most people”. The new candidate says she is optimistic about her chances. “If I didn't have hope, I wouldn't be doing this,” she said, adding that it’s important that “ordinary people represent ordinary people”.  Orla described current political representatives as “detached from the reality of life and the real struggles of the citizens of this country".