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PAT ‘THE COPE’ GALLAGHER, the veteran Fianna Fáil MEP, has said that the two-candidate strategy that the party is pursuing in the new Midlands-North West European constituency could be dangerous.
He has also admitted that it is unlikely the party will take two seats, telling Karen Coleman on Radio EP: “I am only wish we could take two seats, but of course I am a realist.”
He was speaking ahead of the party’s final selection convention which is due to take place in Mullingar this weekend. Two candidates will be picked to contest the 15-county four-seat constituency for Fianna Fáil.
Gallagher is certain to take one of the nominations with Senator Thomas Bryne also likely to be nominated. Seanán Ó Coistín, a former independent candidate in Ireland East, is also putting his name forward.
Gallagher, who has been in the European Parliament since 1994, said the decision to run two candidates had come from “the hierarchy of the party” with one running east of the Shannon and the other west of the river in what he said is “a very large constituency”.
“It can be a dangerous strategy, particularly if we came in with about the same vote and then transfers are more difficult,” Gallagher said.
The former TD, whose stronghold is in Donegal and the west of the constituency, added that he has an ability to secure votes in the counties of Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Meath and Louth.
He agreed that opinion polls suggest that Sinn Féin will take a seat along with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, but cautioned that it was “much too early yet” to predict what will happen.
Fine Gael has already selected incumbent MEPs Mairead McGuinness and Jim Higgins as it targets two of the four available seats in the constituency. Labour has selected senator Lorraine Higgins, Sinn Féin is running councillor Matt Carthy, and the Green Party is running councillor Mark Dearey.
Incumbent independent MEP Marian Harkin is seeking to retain her European Parliament seat, and independent senator Rónán Mullen is also contesting the election. Independent TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan will indicate next week whether he intends to run.
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The Restaurant could be completely innocent so naming and shaming might not be a good idea.
@David Conroy: investigation first, then let loose.
It was nothing to do with extra onions and chilli sauce…
It’s bizarre that you didn’t mention that this investigation started after a bunch of people became seriously ill and one of them died after a party in the restaurant.
This article should be removed and rewritten
@Gareth Cooney: It’s probably the most unprofessional journalism I have ever seen.
@Fabio Dillon: I think the Journal need to hire new staff with proper qualifications in “Cut and Paste”, as well as the ability to embed tweets and create articles from them….!
They have to prove that the restaurant was responsible for the outbreak and caused the person’s death first.
@Oiche Fairy: Death? It didnt mention someone dying in the article only an outbreak of salmonella poisoning. Do you have info not reported? I know salmonella can be easily letal in the young and elderly.
@Cathal P Forde: Yes Cathal, it is big news in Swords.
@Pete Trevaskis:
in Swords? Is it not in Portmarnock?
@Pete Trevaskis: WOW you think they would have mentioned people having died. I think thats more important than a restauraunt being closed. I feel for the families of those who died and hope they get justice.
Lads the golf links is not in Skerries. You are paid to write articles. Proof read.
Name agus Shame
@Bingobango: they should name and shame.
Agree totally David C , as a chef im sure nobody got up one morning to cause anyone any harm, tragic for everyone involved, RIP That lady
@Fabio Dillon: Undercook white meat , i have heard no results announced by the EHO …unless you have information that is not public yet , as i said , no chef gets up in the morning to do anyone any harm as much as no one gets up to cause a car crash , im 35 years a chef and its the first time iv seen a food premises close ..i know it happens , the pub in question as far as i know has always had an excellent reputation for their food …
Skitt was Scat around North Dublin but they didn’t tell us where???
My poor Mam suffered a bad bout of food poisoning the morning after visiting one of the Chinese buffets in the north inner city a few weeks back.We both ate mostly the same stuff except she had the chicken curry which i avoided.
She was very ill for most of the next day.I heard a few stories about these buffets but i’ve never had a problem myself.I dont think my mam will be rushing for one of them any time soon.
@mark kenny: how do you eat that crap in the first place
A friend of mine has died after eating there
@Tony Ruth: very sorry about your friend may she rest in peace
So is this in Skerries or Portmarnock?
@Rui Firmino: The Widows in Portmarnock
@Rui Firmino: Portmarnock
@Martin MB Byrne: Why do they say it’s in Strand Road Skerries in the article then?
@Rui Firmino: never mind, they changed it now
They should have Gordon Ramsey on the case. Why don’t you give out the name of the restaurant?
@Vincent Duff: Probably legal reasons. Apparently the venue uses outside catering firm. But it is named in the commons on Lovin’ Dublin – https://lovindublin.com/news/north-dublin-pub-investigated-after-mother-died-of-suspected-food-poisoning-at-first-communion-meal
Burn it. Burn it all.
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