Cllr Warren O'Toole

12/06/2025

Hard to believe it’s been a year already since I was elected to represent the Arklow Municipal District.

Last June, trust was placed in me at the local elections, which I am very thankful for.

It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster — highs & lows, laughter & tears.
The best part? Meeting so many wonderful people.
The hardest part? Seeing how many are quietly struggling & carrying hurt every day.

A huge thank you to those who stood with me, supported me, encouraged me and help me . None of this would have been possible without you. Your believe means everything.

People often ask me, “Why?”
There are many reasons.
Those who know me, know my greatest inspiration .
But also this: I love this town and all it's surroundings .
My whole life, I’ve been immersed in the great outdoors and I cherish every inch of it.

I want Arklow to be the town I dreamed of as a young boy — a nurturing place of hope, fulfilment, and prosperity.
Today, that dream has grown to include a town that looks after those in need, where all our communities and townlands come together to build a Municipal District grounded in equal opportunity and support for all.

I thought I’d share a little glimpse of what a year in local politics looks like before, during, and after.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh ,here’s to continuing the work together

05/06/2025

🌍💚 World Environment Day 2025 💚🌍

Today, is World environment day , a time to reflect, act and protect the beautiful environment we all share.

From our rivers and coastline to our green spaces and woodlands, let’s work together to keep our communities clean, green & thriving for future generations. 🌿♻️

This year's theme is " Beat plastic pollution" , a gentle reminder that small changes can have a big impact. 💪

✅ Join a local clean-up
✅ Plant for pollinators
✅ Reduce waste
✅ Support biodiversity

Every action counts.

03/06/2025

This is a very welcome development.
But let’s be honest , An Garda Síochána are overstretched and under-resourced. Communities across the country are feeling the impact.

We regularly see our government TDs turning up for the photo ops but where is the real action on the ground?

Every community is grappling with serious issues:

Anti-social behaviour

Drug use and intimidation

Domestic violence

Rural crime

Mental health emergencies
And yet, frontline services are left scrambling with too few hands and too little funding.

It’s time we moved beyond the optics and demanded real accountability and meaningful investment in community safety and public services.

Four juveniles have been charged following reports of a stolen vehicle in Co Wicklow in the early hours of this morning.

Gardaí responded to a report of a car being stolen in Arklow shortly before 3am.

The car was spotted being driven southbound on the Arkow Road towards Inch, with four male juveniles inside.

A "managed containment operation" began, with a stinger device deployed to stop the car at Junction 23 on the M11 near Gorey in Co Wexford.

Two juveniles were arrested at the scene, and two others were arrested a short time later.

All four were held at garda stations in the Eastern Region, where all four were later charged.

Investigations are ongoing.

29/05/2025

This is what the bonds endorsed by the Irish government help achieve, this week alone

🔺 Targeting civilians
🔺 Torture or inhumane treatment
🔺 Attacking hospitals
🔺 Starving civilians as a war tactic
🔺 R**e and sexual violence
🔺 Destroying cultural or religious sites

War crimes are serious violations of international laws during armed conflict.
All of the above are war crimes

29/05/2025

A place for male carers to talk and connect.

Calling all carers, fathers, brothers, uncles, and male role models … this space is for you 💙

Tuatha is a men’s carers support group being held on Thursday, 29th May at 7PM in Arklow Library! 🌀

They understand that being a support to others can sometimes feel isolating. Whether you're caring for a loved one, raising a family, or simply trying to hold it all together, you're not alone.

It’s an evening of connection, conversation, and support. This group is a safe, welcoming environment where men can share their experiences, listen, and be heard.
Whether you’re seeking advice, a listening ear, or just want to be among others who understand, you are more then welcome 🌻🌈♥️

23/05/2025

. 🇮🇪😔🆘☠️🚫🇵🇸

22/05/2025

It was great to attend the official opening of the Great Sugarloaf Restoration Project ,such an important and meaningful initiative. We are incredibly lucky to have an abundance of beautiful outdoor spaces here in Wicklow and it’s heartening to see the forward-thinking and collaboration across different departments within the Council, to deliver projects like this.

In our own Municipal District, it’s brilliant to see that there is a strong vision for protecting and enhancing these special places. We’re blessed with rivers, forests, beaches, and mountains.

The outdoors is one of our greatest assets for both mental and physical well-being . Projects like this come together through insight, hard work and a real love for the land.

A special word to my party colleague Cllr Dermot 'Daisy' O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District, who spoke so passionately at the event. His commitment to community and the outdoors shines through.

21/05/2025

Rents have hit record highs right across the state.

In Wicklow average rents are now over €2000 per month. That is scandalous.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have abandoned renters. They can’t be trusted to sort this out. The system is working exactly as it is supposed to with the way they have designed it.

Sinn Féin want a ban on rent increases for three years and one month’s rent put back into people’s pockets.

We need a radical reset in housing so we can deliver homes that ordinary workers and families can actually afford.

20/05/2025

Shockingly over 15,000 children waiting on an Assessment of Need have been failed by government.

Today, Sinn Féin, alongside other opposition parties, will bring forward a motion demanding that children receive their assessments within 6 months - as required by law.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have turned their backs on children. They must stop breaking the law and deliver the support families deserve.

15/05/2025

77 Years Since the Nakba
Today we remember the Nakba—the "catastrophe" , when over 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes in 1948. But the Nakba is not just history it is a continuing reality.

For 77 years, Palestinians have endured displacement, occupation, apartheid policies, and collective punishment.
Their suffering is not a past event. It is lived every day in Gaza, the West Bank and the refugee camps across the region.

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their demand for dignity, justice, and the right to return.


Key Historical Dates to Remember:

1948 – Nakba: Over 750,000 Palestinians ethnically cleansed, more than 500 villages destroyed.

1967 – Naksa (Setback): Israel occupies Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Sinai, and Golan Heights.

1982 – Sabra and Shatila massacre: Thousands of Palestinian refugees killed in Lebanon.

2008–2009, 2014, 2021, 2023–2024 – Repeated assaults on Gaza with thousands of civilian deaths.

2024–2025 – Ongoing siege and genocide in Gaza, mass displacement, targeting of civilians, journalists, and aid workers.

The Nakba didn’t end ,it continues.
Raise your voice. Share their story. Demand accountability.

09/05/2025

A New Dawn for Our Town

With the Wastewater Treatment Plant officially opening today, it feels like the perfect moment to reflect on the incredible momentum building all around us.

Our Main Street is coming back to life , rejuvenation is well underway, the Alps project is moving forward and with major developments soon to be submitted in the town center. Key buildings are being purchased with a clear vision: to breathe new energy into the heart of our town. We're seeing expressions of interest from outside businesses eager to set up here, bringing services that will play a vital role in our community’s continued growth.

Local support has been phenomenal , from traditional shopfront restorations to the daily encouragement that builds confidence and pride in where we live.

The Arklow Municipal District has been central to this progress, with particular thanks to Regeneration Officer Stephen Clarke. Stephen, alongside the dedicated MD staff, has been actively working with property owners to bring vacant spaces back into use and where necessary, exploring acquisition to ensure key locations don’t go to waste.

It's genuinely a pleasure to work with Stephen, the MD team and our passionate Town Team, all of us united by a shared vision for the town’s future.

This is just the beginning and the future is looking bright!

Communities build communities and we all have a role to play and I'm proud to play mine