Charlene O'Hara takes 'Youngest Councillor' title

Charlene O’Hara from West Belfast Ógra Shinn Féin has become Irelands youngest councillor aged just 19 years Old. A student from St Marys college, Charlene was co-opted on to Lisburn City Council at their meeting on Tuesday 27th November ’07. Councillor Jennifer McCann, who served the electoral area of Dunmurry cross had to give up her council seat following her election the assembly.

Charlene on the right at a recent commemorative event for the 40th Anniversary of the death of Che Guevara

Charlene, from Twinbrook joined Sinn Féin over 2 years ago and has worked variously within the election department of Sinn Féin and more recently has worked with the ICT department of Sinn Fein.

Charlene takes up the story

“I have always had a strong interest in politics and whilst growing up in modern day Ireland politics is never too far away none of my family were overtly political. I was always highly critical and never took anything at face value. When I became more and more interested in politics Sinn Féin was the party that reflected my Republican ideals and so it only made sense to join Sinn Féin and develop these ideals.”

Joining Sinn Féin in late 2005, Charlene became involved with Ógra Shinn Féin when it was in a phase of restructuring in West Belfast.

“I didn’t join Ógra Shinn Féin when I joined the senior party because it was in a phase of restructuring so I opted to join Senior Sinn Féin. However with the re structuring of Ógra Shinn Fein in west Belfast I helped out and have now been tying in with Ógra Shinn Féin. However re-structuring and development is an ongoing process, there is no point where you can say it is now complete.

“I have worked on numerous election campaigns for Sinn Féin, which I believe stands me in good stead for the task that lays ahead on Lisburn City Council. I have also worked closely throughout the summer with Jennifer McCann, through my work experience in the Sinn Féin office so this all goes to develop myself and the my role as a councillor.”

When pressed on the work Charlene would be involved in during her term in the council she stated

“I want to tackle issues particularly around the young people of the area. Being a youth myself I am well aware of the lack of youth facilities and provision in many areas throughout West Belfast. West Belfast is one of the most deprived areas of Western Europe; through decades of neglect by successive British governments we had little in the way of prosperity, economically or socially. However through the last decade or so things are beginning to look up for the people of west Belfast.

“I also want to tackle the stereotypical view of young people also. Young people today are being portrayed as ‘monsters’ and very many young people are now labelled ‘hoods’. This is a very stereotypical view of young people. There are a small minority of young people who wreck havoc in communities and who are a scourge on the backs of communities. However the vast majority of young people are not ‘monsters’ or ‘hoods’.

Asked if she wasn’t involved with Ógra or Senior Sinn Féin what would she be doing Charlene said

“I can’t imagine not being involved with some movement of some description, such as the student’s movement or the trade union movement.”

Outside of Politics Charlene is training to be a PE teacher and is interested in physical fitness. She also works on a voluntary basis for a local youth club in her local area and is also a carer for her brother and sister.

With her to Lisburn City Council, Charlene brings a youthful perspective, enthusiasm and responsibility.

“I am looking forward to this challenge, it’s definitely a novel with being the youngest councillor in Ireland but there are also important duties and responsibilities that come with my job. Jennifer McCann has served the people of Dunmurry cross well and it will be hard to fill her boots. However I am up for the task, and I will serve my constituents to the best of my ability”

Charlene, on the right, helping out at Freshers in St Marys in September

Quickfire Round

Favorite Food: Anything Italian

Favorite Drink: Pure Orange and Pineapple juice mixed together!

Favorite Music / Artist: Snow patrol, but im really into anything basically

Favorite Film: Too Many

Favorite Book: A very British Jihad

Favorite travel destination: Zambia

Person most influential in your life: My Sister

Person you would like to meet (living) : Nelson Mandela

Person you would like to meet (deceased) : James Connolly

If you were president of Ireland or Taoiseach what 3 things would you do to change Ireland?

1.) Work towards the establishment of a sovereign 32 county democratic socialist republic

2.) Make Irish language the 1st language of Ireland and promote and develop it.

3.) Bring in sweeping reforms including scrapping Water Charges, Top up Fees, tackle the extortionate rates charge by car insurance companies and lower council rates.