Hi. My name is Marie Casserly (nee Bruen) from Streedagh, Grange, Co Sligo, and I am contesting the General Election on November 29th, 2024 as an Independent Candidate on a community driven agenda. I would appreciate your NUMBER 1 VOTE.

Married to Mel a Civil Engineer, I am the mother of 5 lovely children ranging in ages from 16 to 21. I teach Irish and am also the school’s Guidance Counsellor in Saint Mary’s College, Ballisodare, Co.Sligo. I am a past pupil of Mercy College, Sligo. My academic qualifications include a degree in Politics and Irish (1993) and a H.Dip. in Education (1994) from the National University of Ireland Galway along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling (2002) from the University of Limerick.

I am a North Sligo-based community activist with a strong track record in initiating and completing projects, which include the building of the playground in Grange and the founding of the Grange Men’s Shed Association. I am a qualified Family Mediator and an ASIST suicide prevention training participant. Furthermore, I am also a keen health and fitness advocate, and initiated a running group in Grange in 2009 which has since evolved into a very successful Senior Athletic Club. I have run a marathon and half-marathons along with shorter distances on a regular basis. I also help coach girls Gaelic teams at an underage level. I have worked in conjunction with An Taisce, Clean Coasts, Grange Tidy Towns and Sligo County Council and have organised several highly successful National Spring Clean projects. I also liaise with sponsor groups in the community who benefit from Tús support through Sligo Leader Partnership.

I am an active member of the following Committees:

• Secretary of North Sligo Playground Group.
• The organising committee of the North West Hospice Midsummer Walk.
• The Armada Development Association committee.
• The board of management of Scoil Naomh Molaise, Grange.
• An elected member of Sligo Community Forum.
• Founding member, treasurer and PRO of Grange and District Community Alert.
• Assistant treasurer of North Sligo Sports Centre.

I am contesting the upcoming general elections, on the 29th of November, because I believe that we are all in this together, working for a future we deserve for our families, in the best place in the world to live….the North West of Ireland.

I have a firm belief in taking pride in, and working hard for our community and once again I would really appreciate your NUMBER 1 VOTE to allow me to represent you, your family and your community as a TD in Dáil Éireann.