*LOR-KEY.
CLARE’S first General Election anthem has been released and Sinn Féin supporters have said there is a growing support in the county for the party.
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Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) is hope to be whistling her way to the Dáil and a new rap by Inagh’s very own LOR-KEY has put forward some of Green Party’s Deputy Leader’s achievements in the Seanad.
Cllr Donna McGettigan’s (SF) canvassers are growing in confidence that a Sinn Féin seat will be won in Clare for the second General Election in a row. Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) ran for the party and was elected in February 2020 but later resigned and has been an Independent TD since February 2022.
McGettigan’s cohort of supporters have told The Clare Echo that they have witnessed a steady rise in support over the past fortnight. She conducted her canvass in Shannon as did Michael Leahy (IFP).
Day seventeen of the campaign has candidates fine tuning their last attempts to win over voters in advance of Friday.
A visit with the Student Council of Parteen NS saw Cathal Crowe TD (FF) kick off his canvassing which also includes stops in Kilmihil, O’Briensbridge, Bridgetown and Killaloe where he was joined by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF).
Importance of a voice for North and West Clare was the message hammered home by Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) when she canvassed Inagh and Ennistymon.
After attending the Clare Leader Forum hustings on Monday, Eddie Punch (II) said, “I tried to listen more than talk because the insights were really eye-opening. From a young person in a wheelchair forced to live in a nursing home and this resonated with an experience our family had to face but luckily avoided eleven years ago, to people frustrated that their ability was not seen in terms of work or participation in society. The anger of carers was palpable. And the worst thing of all was that their conclusion was that nothing had improved since the last election. I’m not saying it’s easy to solve problems but maybe more focus on solutions, on listening and consulting with respect to the individuals and less on badly thought out referendums would be a start. Ultimately the approach should be to try enable all to live to their fullest potential and to help those around them, carers and community”.
Deputy Wynne said “I’ve been working for disability through my term. If this is your red line issue, consider supporting me on Friday. In my first term, I have advocated for the removal of the of the means test for carers allowance, successfully fought to bring in and expand spinraza access for Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients, held Government to account for failures of the disabled driver scheme, forced Government to clarify the UNCRPD Optional Protocol implementation after five years of calling for it to be brought and got a pay rise for school special needs bus escorts, who were shamefully underpaid. I am a special needs mother, an experienced advocate, and your disability candidate for General Election 2024”.
Women of Clare were the focus of Hilary Tonge’s (SD) latest appeal for votes. She said the women of Clare are the childcare providers, volunteers, suppliers of PPE to nursing homes during COVID and helped the Ukrainians when they arrived while outlining that her party could ease the worries of women if in Government.
Energy levels were high for Dr Tom Nolan (FG) as he canvassed Kildysart with party colleague Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) focusing on Crusheen, Ballinruan, Tulla, Cratloe and Liscannor while he visited Ennis Mart with retired councillor, Oliver Garry (FG).
In Ennis, Leonora Carey (FG) was joined by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG). The latest high-profile endorsement for her campaign arrived via European Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness (FG). Also in Ennis was Barry O’Donovan (RAB).
Cliffs of Moher were visited by Paddy Murphy (IND) who saw first-hand the congestion at the tourist attraction and how surrounding communities are not seeing the benefit.
Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) has reiterated his message that Fianna Fáil returning two TDs in Clare gives the county its best chance of having a Minister.
Having recovered from illness, Matthew Moroney (IND) resumed his canvass and he was in South-East Clare.
Also appearing on the ballot paper in Clare are, June Dillon (AON), Kevin Hassett (IND), Michael Loughrey (IP), Amanda Major (IND) and Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC).
