*Garry Miley, Fiona McGarry, Barry O’Donovan, Páraic McMahon.
EAST CLARE could elect the same five representatives in the Killaloe Municipal District for the third Council term in the row.
We’re eight weeks out from the local elections and the focus of this week’s episode of The Electoral Chair is the Killaloe Municipal District. This MD covers the areas of Crusheen, Clooney, Quin, Kilkishen, Kilmurry, O’Briensbridge, Killaloe, Ogonnelloe, Mountshannon, Whitegate, Tuamgraney, Scariff, Feakle, Killanena and Tulla.
This week’s episode is broadcast from the studios of Scariff Bay Community Radio which has been the location for many excellent interviews with political representatives in the area.
Páraic McMahon is joined by former East Clare correspondent with The Clare Champion, ex Morning Focus producer on Clare FM and journalism lecturer Fiona McGarry, Green Party candidate in the Killaloe MD in 2019 Barry O’Donovan and Chair of the Social Democrats branch in Clare, Garry Miley.
Confirmed candidates in the Killaloe MD so far include:
- Cllr Pat Burke (FG)
- Martina Cleary (SF)
- Cllr Joe Cooney (FG)
- Cllr Pat Hayes (FF)
- Fiona Levie (SD)
- Matt Moroney (II)
- Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF)
- Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF)
On this week’s political agenda:
- The key issues in the Killaloe MD
- How candidates handle windfarms could swing votes
- Broadford’s wastewater treatment included in national scheme but not delivered
- Working dynamic between the outgoing quintet
- Do women of East Clare feel represented
- Promises of first votes hinder the challengers
- Fine Gael’s struggles to manage the Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) vote
- Geographical challenges for candidates
- Absence of the Greens from the field in East Clare
- Potential for a Fianna Fáil casualty
- Will Martina Cleary (SF) secure a mix of a protest and pyrite vote
- Fiona Levie (SD) will poll a stronger vote for Social Democrats
- Matt Moroney (II) must capitalise on the Independent Ireland momentum
