Dáil General Election Profile: Joanne Finnegan, Meath East
May 10, 2007
Originally from Dublin, Joanne lives in Bettystown. She commutes daily to Coolock and Darndale where she works as a Senior Community Occupational Therapist. She holds a Diploma in Montessori Education and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy.
Joanne has been involved in many campaigns, the most recent being Shell to Sea and the Stardust families' fight for justice.
What has influenced me most in becoming a political activist is...
When I was a kid my family took children from Belfast for a break away. There were some shocking stories. One in particular stood out where a girl a couple of years older than me at the time described how an RUC man dragged another girl across the street by her hair. Just imagining it at the time at that age was distressing.
Another time was when Roisín McAliskey had her baby in prison. I was 11 during the Hunger Strikes. I didn't fully understand it all at the time but I knew that something awful kept on happening as the black flag was put out every day from the bedroom window and my Dad left Dublin to go to funeral after funeral.
The Stardust fire in Artane also affected me considerably.
The people who have inspired me the most have been...
When I worked in the National Rehab Hospital, in Dún Laoghaire, I was inspired by individuals who suffered terribly from brain and spinal injuries. Somehow they managed to eventually move on and start living their lives as best they could.
I think people in power should pay more attention to...
The root causes of anti-social behaviour instead of implementing short-term solutions such as ASBOs. Listen to those working in voluntary community organisations. These people are genuine and passionate about what they do.
If there was one thing I could get done in Wicklow overnight it would be to...
Stop the madness of bad planning by bringing in stronger legislation and address the lack of social infrastructure.
One thing I enjoyed in my constituency has been...
The unanimous decision of the local naoinra to fight for a community pre-school and not cave in to those pushing for a private business.
My most memorable book...
The Life of Crick because I recently found it whilst searching the internet and it was written by my great grandfather who was Australian.
My favourite musicians are...
Damian Dempsey and Pink Floyd.
