'I care deeply': First person of colour co-opted into Carlow County Council

History was made in Carlow this week after the first person of colour became part of Carlow County Council.

Miriam Boush, who is Irish/Sudanese, was co-opted to cover Cllr Adreinne Wallace’s maternity leave.

In a post on Instagram announcing the news, People Before Profit’s Cllr Boush says she is “beyond grateful.”

“To be the first person of colour ever on the council is huge, and I’m honoured to be that representation. I was born and raised in Carlow, I care deeply about the people here, and I’m going to work my absolute ass off,” she said.

With over 50,000 followers on Instagram, Cllr Boush says she hopes to use her platform and new position as a way to raise awareness about politics.

“I’m so honoured and so grateful to get this opportunity to fight for people, to fight for the people of Carlow Town. There’s so much going on in the country: the cost of living crisis, housing crisis, fuel crisis, they’re trying to get rid of our Triple Lock and I think the reason they’re trying al this and they’re getting away with it is because people aren’t politically engaged,” she said in a video.

“Politics is not easy to navigate and so I hope with this position and this platform that I can bring some transparency to it, so that everyone can advocate for themselves,” she continued.

Cllr Wallace has “entrusted” Cllr Boush to cover her for the six months of maternity leave following the birth of her little boy.