History is littered with the successes of failures  

I am no longer campaigning I am no longer a Wicklow county council candidate I am not longer a European Parliament candidate I am no longer pressed on all sides for my opinion on topics as diverse as youth, LGBT, energy and age I no longer get to sign pledges with impressive looking organisations My phone has stopped beeping every two seconds Journalists have stopped ringing me Radio stations no longer want to talk to me TV is no longer calling   I am now officially in a vacuum in which I can draw breathe and relax   So while I failed in my attempt to get elected what were my successes?   I successfully changed the law on April 16, 2014, and from there launched my European campaign I was successful in earning 11,500 votes from people across the Ireland South constituency I was successful in earning 250 votes from local Wicklow people I was successful in speaking on radio with LE candidates I was successful in speaking on radio with fellow EP candidates I was successful in appearing on television with fellow EP candidates I was successful in appearing in print and online articles across the region I […]

Continue reading

Running the Race

Sunday morning, 25 May 2014 I have run the race and am reaching the end. I have yet to cross the line but it is in sight. My legs are sore, my breathing laboured and there are rubs on my feet.  There are many ahead of me; a goodly pack of politicians, first timers, old timers, new seekers, tired thinkers, young ones, old ones and inbetween ones. There are even one or two stragglers behind me. We have all run our race, some with parties, some without, some with zeal, some with polish, some with ideas quite divergent and some with ideas that are as old as the earth we cross. In this race there were moments when people slipped, were pushed or just fell. Mostly the other runners skipped over or ran around the runner on the ground. It was rare a hand was held out by another runner; it is not that kind of race. But it was common for the spectators to rush forward and pull the runner to his feet, to push water into his hand and to chivvy him on his way. No runner left behind, not until the fat lady sings anyway. When I […]

Continue reading

Debt is the single biggest issue of our century – Primetime Monday 19, 2014

Debt is the single biggest issue facing the Irish people this century both on a national and European stage.  When history comes to be written the issue of debt in our time will be as big an issue as the famine was in the 19th century. And ironically, the misery caused by both – the deaths, suicides, emigration and homelessness – are utterly preventable.   We know that we hold 42 percent of the debt from the banking crisis in Europe. We also know this is wrong, that this is an unjust debt, an odious debt.   The current government was voted in three years ago with an overwhelming mandate to renegotiate this debt but they did nothing. They did not even ask for a single cent back.   This is why I want to go to Europe to right that wrong. Why should you send me to Europe? I have personally felt the impact of austerity in a real and painful fashion. Last year the banks repossessed my home, my business failed and bailiffs called to my door. I tried the Insolvency Service but I was too broke. I was forced to go bankrupt. But as I hit rock […]

Continue reading

Shane Ross endorses Jillian Godsil – with Diarmuid O’Flynn

Deputy Shane Ross has announced he is endorsing my candidacy for Ireland South in the upcoming European European elections. He has also taken the unusual step of endorsing a fellow Independent Candidate Diarmuid O’Flynn, founder of the Ballyhea Protestors. We are both running in Ireland South. The election is on May 23rd. Last night Shane announced on Twitter: I will endorse both Jillian Godsil AND Diarmuid O’Flynn for Europe. Two noble independent battlers. Both deserve seats. Sorry decision delay. Please find his tweet here  This is an outstanding day for democracy. Irish citizens now have the option to vote for the people of their choice and not be curtailed by party politics. It sends a clear signal to the government that Independents are the new Opposition. I personally am very honoured to have received Shane’s endorsement. I am also proud to be endorsed alongside Diarmuid O’Flynn whose dedication to Ireland and justice is unrivalled,   To be named by one Irish patriot in the company of another is a wonderful day indeed. I came to prominence over the past three years when I very publicly documented my personal descent into financial misery; divorce and recession combined to force the collapse […]

Continue reading