Winds of change in the Southwest

Toiréasa Ní Fhearaíosa - the first Sinn Féin mayor of Kerry

Last week Councillor Toireasa Ní Fhearaíosa became the first Sinn Féin Mayor of Kerry. At 25 she is also Kerry's youngest Mayor to date. Sinn Féin Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald MEP has said that the election is "an indicator of the change that is sweeping through Irish politics" and that Ní Fhearaíosa is a "shining example" to young people who want to get involved in politics.

This week Ní Fhearaíosa, whose father is the Kerry North TD and former political prisoner Martin Ferris, spoke to An Phoblacht about her background, political inspiration, the significance of her election and her objectives for her term as Mayor.

What caused you to become involved in politics?

I suppose growing up with the likes of Rita O'Hare, Monica Brolly, Jake Mac Seachais and the Devereauxs as part of my extended family, a deep interest in Irish history and the history of countries like South Africa was fostered at an early age. I remember when I was about ten years of age while my sisters were reading Sweet Valley High novels or Smash Hits magazine I was more interested in the childcraft encylopaedia of Irish history my mother had got me for my birthday or the reams of information Rita O'Hare had sent me about the ANC. While for the early part of my teens I tried to have 'normal' teenage interests and hobbies, once I turned 16 I joined the party. Two years later Conor Foley and I got involved in Ógra Shinn Féin, and from then on there was no turning back for either of us.

What does it mean for you and your family for you to have become Mayor of Kerry?

Obviously it was a very happy and proud day for all of us, as indeed it was for all Kerry republicans. As I said to my brothers and sisters on the day, it's not that long ago that we were being dragged from our beds early in the morning during raids on our house, or getting teased or beaten up at school for having a Daddy that was in jail and now one of us is, to quote a fellow councillor, 'Kerry's Premier Citizen'.

At 25 years of age, do you think that your election as mayor is a major advance for young people?

Well we certainly intend to use this year to make sure that it is. It is remarkable that of the 27 County Councillors only one of us is under the age of 30. The first step that we've taken to build a relationship between the young people of our county and the local authority was by inviting representatives from Kerry Diocesan Youth Services, who coincidently are also Kerry's representatives on Dáil na nÓg. Over the course of the year it is hoped the office of Mayor will be used to engage with young people with a view to garnering interest in politics.

How best do you think young people can become attracted and actively involved in politics given the cynicism and apathy that affects many young people?

I genuinely don't think it's a case of cynicism or apathy. Rather I believe young people's apparent lack of interest is more to do with the fact that the political process doesn't seem relevant to them or their lives. If we look at how active student groups were in the anti-war movement, during the threat of the re-introduction of third level fees and indeed most recently when Olakunle was deported, it is quite clear that our young population are anything but apathetic. Part of our programme for the year for engagement between the mayor and our young population will include travelling to secondary schools and youth organisations to explain how the local authority affects their lives but most importantly asking them how it can be more relevant.

In your acceptance speech you mentioned the harassment your family received over the years at the hands of the 26-County state for your republican beliefs. What do you think the attainment of the Mayor position means to republicans in Kerry and elsewhere?

As I mentioned earlier the election last week most certainly was a huge turn around. It's incredible when you think that when my father, uncle and other republicans were my age they were beaten so badly by members of the infamous Heavy Gang that they were unrecognisable even to their own family, all because of their republican beliefs, and today someone who shares those republican ideals is Cathaoileach of the County. It was truly humbling to see such people in the chamber last Wednesday and the pride on their faces. While our objectives have not yet been realised, we are getting closer and closer.

Do you think that your election as mayor will encourage more women to become involved in politics given that only 15% of public representatives are women?

Whilst I hope that it will, I'm not so naïve as to believe that this election alone can. As symbolic as it is the election of a female Mayor is only cosmetic, a lot more will have to be done to remove the barriers that have prevented women and others thus far from participating in our political landscape. The office will be used however to highlight and condemn such obstacles.

What is your platform for the year ahead as Mayor?

As was outlined in my address last Wednesday my primary objective this year will be to try and make the council more accessible to and be representative of all the people of my county. While lipservice is paid in this county and others to the council being owned by the people I think its about time the people actually felt ownership of their local government.