*Leonora Carey (FG). Photograph: John McDermott.
ARGUABLY the most important weekend of campaigning in the General Election has come to an end in Clare.
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Another big Fine Gael endorsement came the way of first-time candidate, Leonora Carey (FG). Fresh from receiving the backing of former Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton (FG), MEP Francis Fitzgerald (FG) a former Minister for Justice has rowed in behind Carey’s campaign.
What influence the Dublin based duo will have on the Clare electorate is questionable but they are big political names. One local political analyst told The Clare Echo, “Based on her two most recent endorsements, Leonora would do handsomely if pitching for votes in leafy suburban Dublin.”
Hilary Tonge’s (SD) role as co-founder as Mid-West Hospital Campaign has seen former patient of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) to announce her health activism work is why he is giving her his number one vote on November 29th.
Senator Timmy Dooley’s (FF) army of canvassers were deployed across Mullagh, Whitegate, Ogonnelloe and Kilmaley where dogs kept the Mountshannon man on his toes. Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) and ex Mayor of Clare, Tom McNamara (FF) were among those canvassing for Dooley.
Over 6km were clocked on the evening canvass for Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) who also managed to watch Éire Óg’s footballers in Cusack Park as they exited the Munster club. Loop Head, Lissycasey, Coore, Connolly and Ennis were the destinations of their canvass.
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) was also in Ennis prior to the Éire Óg game with his team also moving into Barefield and Roslevan.
GAA formed part of the discussion for Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) as he canvassed Clonlara and Tubber with some of his crew also in Ennis.
Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) and her team canvassed Ennis, Lissycasey, Quilty, Doonbeg, Kilrush and Doolin.
Paddy Murphy (IND) was on the move in Corofin and Lahinch with Michael Leahy (IFP) addressing mass goers in Killaloe and Sixmilebridge.
North and South Clare were toured by Cathal Crowe TD (FF). He had ex TD, Tony Killeen (FF) for company alongside Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), Cllr Shane Talty (FF) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) in Lahinch, Liscannor and Ennistymon before finishing up in Meelick and Parteen.
Amanda Major (IND) voiced her frustration with the lack of health services in Ennis while Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) issued a reminder that not everyone is on the same boat. Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) canvassed in Shannon.
Also appearing on the ballot paper in Clare are, June Dillon (AON), Kevin Hassett (IND), Michael Loughrey (IP), Matthew Moroney (IND), Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC) and Barry O’Donovan (RAB).
