*Tánaiste Micheál Martin (FF) in Ennis.
TÁNAISTE Micheál Martin (FF) visited Co Clare and canvassed with Fianna Fáil’s trio of candidates while it was horses for courses for the majority of runners in the field who flocked to the Ennistymon Horse Show.
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Day nine of the campaign saw the arrival of the Tánaiste to the county via ferry where he began canvassing with Cllr Rita McInerney (FF), they headed to the Vandeleur Walled Garden before heading onto Talty’s in Lissycasey. The Doonbeg woman’s election bid received a further boost with the backing of ex councillor Cillian Murphy (FF)
In Ennis, they were joined by Cathal Crowe TD (FF) and Senator Timmy Dooley (FF). They proceded to tour Dunne’s Stores, those hoping to get some downtime doing some Sunday afternoon shopping received a rude awakening as piles of Fianna Fáil supporters together with cameras from RTÉ and Virgin Media hit the aisles where no shopping trolley was safe.
From here, Bunratty, Cratloe and Sixmilebridge were visited as the Tánaiste toured with Crowe while it was on to the hills of Tulla where the Cork man got to lift some silverware, the Junior B hurling championship where he was solely promoting Dooley’s efforts to try win a seat in Dáil Éireann. Dooley began the day with canvasses in Quin and Shannon.
A trend over the weekend has been a rising tide in support for candidates in West and North Clare. Dr Tom Nolan (FG) started the day with a dip alongside the Snámhaí Sasta crew in Spanish Point. “What better way to start the day, delighted to join the powerful community that is Snámhaí Sasta this morning. Staying active and minding your mental health is so important to me – whatever you do today do something to make you feel good”.
Ennistymon’s Horse Show was the attraction for a lot of candidates including Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Leonora Carey (FG), Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) and Eddie Punch (II). Carey was also in Bunratty where she bumped into Crowe and Martin. Garvey said, “I never miss Ennistymon horse fair. The rain didn’t make a blind bit of difference. There was still lots of lovely positive happy people”.
Mass goers at Ennis Cathedral had a post-Sunday service with Michael Leahy (IFP) who bought his megaphone to town and shared his views to the congregation. Cooraclare and Killimer were the areas of focus for Kevin Hassett (IND).
Posters belonging to Matthew Moroney (IND) were targeted in Broadford. “I made a decision at the start of this campaign to use only a select amount of posters as I’ve seen in my opinion too many all over the county. I was saddened to see mine pulled down and robbed today outside Kilbane church. Just for the information this campaign is fully funded by myself not like larger political parties who get funding for theirs. If someone has a problem with any poster please ask me to move it if it bothers you”.
Clare’s hurlers headed off on a holiday to remember and well-wishes were voiced by Paddy Murphy (IND). He thanked them for the “pride, passion and the hangover” that they helped to provide. He encouraged the Clare panellists to keep a close eye on Peter Duggan “because the prices over there are not The 19th prices”.
Cost of living, housing, health and lack of Garda presence were brought up to Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) during her Ennis canvass.
Post office closures were highlighted by Hilary Tonge (SD) who was in Lahinch. “It is a shame, it shouldn’t be allowed,” she stated while referencing the post office closure there and in the Market in Ennis.
Also appearing on the ballot paper in Clare for the November 29th election are, June Dillon (AON), Michael Loughrey (IP), Amanda Major (IND), Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC), Barry O’Donovan (RAB) and Violet-Anne Wynne (IND)
