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WHEN THE VOTERS in the Longford-Westmeath constituency go to the polls this Friday, they will not only decide who represents them on the council and in Europe.
They will also be picking their fourth Dáil representative in a by-election that was called just weeks ago, following the death of Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden in March 2014. The short time-frame means that the election campaign has been dominated by the national news cycle with issues like jobs, water charges and the economy topping the agenda.
But what are the local issues for these voters and which potential TD is aiming to solve them?
Fine Gael: Gabrielle McFadden (Nicky McFadden’s sister)
Fianna Fáil: Aengus O’Rourke
Sinn Féin: Paul Hogan
Labour Party: Denis Leonard
Independents/Others:
- John McNamara
- Donal Jackson
- Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran
- Brian Fagan
- James Morgan
Population: 116,802
Electorate size: 85,918.
Turnout in the 2011 general election: 67.7 per cent.
Sitting TDS:
- Labour Party’s Willie Penrose
- Fine Gael’s James Bannon
- Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy
Obviously, the common issues that matter to voters all across the country, like unemployment, emigration, water charges and the general state of the economy, are on the minds of the constituents of Longford and Westmeath.
The 4th Western Brigade
However local media said one of the biggest topics of contention for the people of Westmeath is the decision to close the Custume Barracks. In June 2012, it was announced that the 4th Western Brigade, which was headquartered in Athlone would be abolished, though the 1,000 jobs would be retained elsewhere.
At the time, the Westmeath Independent reported outrage from local politicians who said the move would still mean job losses in the area and would hurt the local economy. Micheál Martin even pledged to restore the 4th Western Brigade once his party gets back into power recently.
Columb Barracks in Mullingar were also closed during the term of this government and these decisions were discussed at length in a candidate debate on local radio station Shannonside.
John McNamara, who is running as an independent candidate, told TheJournal.ie that as a retired army officer, this has been a big part of his campaign.
“I’ve been talking to the guys and there’s a lot of emotion there,” he said. “So I have to be vocal for them because they don’t have a voice.”
Businesses, garda stations and windfarms
A reduction in the number of IDA site visits in Westmeath has also been raised by opposition candidates, according to the Deputy Editor of the Independent, Karen Downey.
Fianna Fáil’s Aengus O’Rourke told TheJournal.ie that as a business owner himself in Athlone, he knows first-hand the pressures that small firms in the area are dealing with on a daily basis.
“I have seen the power of businesses working together, pulling together and promoting together – rather than SME’s trying to individually find their own way a new emphasis and support structure around promoting cooperation,” he said.
Rodney Farry, who is a journalist at the Westmeath Examiner, said that the north of the county has seen a lot of talk about wind farms.
“Lots of candidates are getting asked about that, especially in certain areas that are earmarked for development,” he said.
Local media also said people in Westmeath are concerned about diminished garda numbers in the area – though this is a something that is being seen all across the country, particularly in rural areas.
There’s only one Longford candidate – that’s the problem
In Longford, the main issue for voters is the geography of the election itself, according to News Editor at the Longford Leader, Alan Walsh.
With six of the candidates based in Athlone, one in Mullingar and just one in Longford, voters in that county are feeling underrepresented.
“People were annoyed, with Fianna Fáil in particular, that there were candidates here prepared to put their names forward but the parties decided to go with a one candidate strategy,” Walsh said. People in the county have now started referring to the election as the ‘Athlone By-Election’.
For the 85,000 plus voters in this constituency, there are now five days to decide who they think will sort out these local issues for them and who will best represent them on the national issues in the Dáil.
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One thing that FF voters have a concern about is why they weren’t allowed have a say in the selection of the bye-election* candidate.
Being told that you can vote for anyone at all as long as it is Mammy’s son is not the sign if a party interested in renewal or the future.
Telling an entire county of your supporters and activists to shove it up their proverbial while you are still sitting near historic lows is insanity or just not caring what happens as long as those already in are ok.
* This is the traditional spelling and the one used in most legal texts. If you are Bi or Bye it doesn’t matter.
Seanie, I’m from Longford and I can tell you now that Aengus O’Rourke and FF haven’t a chance in this bye-election. People don’t want to vote for Mammy’s son. FG and Gabrielle McFadden are going to cruise through the bye-election.
Seeeeaaaaannnniiiieeee – So pleased to read about what we all knew about Fianna Fáil !
Otherwise – you are just confirming that they are as CORRUPT as ever and don’t intend to change their ways ?
I take it from your recent comments that you are going to run soon against Mehole Martin to become The El Corleone of The FF -Mafia Party ?
I know he hasn’t and I’m not going to suggest that you vote for him.
I think that picking him was the last straw for a lot of people in FF. It seems to me that there are too many people in the party that have their own little cliques and past associations to worry about, rather than renewal.
Look at Mary Fitzpatrick, daughter of a T.D. – not a great candidate by any stretch of the imagination. never broke over 3000 votes in an election and she is put forward in a weak for us Dublin. beep that.
Look at Midlands NorthWest. Running Thomas Byrne for Europe instead of keeping him in Leinster house where we are weak. at the moment. No, Thomas has Martin’s ear and screw Gallagher then. Very possible that there will be no FF seat.
The mess that was made in handling Brian Crowley’s Presidential ambition, means that he is in FF but hates the leader and FF HQ, a great standard bearer for the party then.
Look at a hundred examples in the selection of local candidates.
There has been no renewal at the top and in the back room and judging by the polls and the feedback it will play out next Friday in a battering.
There is just one last throw of the dice left in FF at this stage. Party supporters and members need to start accepting that for a long time to come around 22% is where we are at and plan accordingly.
This election was planned as if there was 30%+ of the electorate that would come out and vote FF no matter what. Micheal Martin, Sean Dorgan etc have had their turn now need to step aside.
Mammy was never known for her democratic credentials at candidate selection time.
Seanie was it not Dorgan that parachuted a second candidate into Blackrock which you endorsed on this forum?
That was done with the approval of the party, it was not his decision alone.
I’m looking at the bigger picture rather than the rights and wrongs of certain issues.
When it is possible that we’ll only have one MEP in the entire country and no renewal at all in Dublin then things have to change radically.
Who cares about people from Longford and Westmeath? Rubbish counties
Pillock
Such a stupid comment.Um maybe the people who live in Longford /Westmeath!?
To be honest, I wouldn’t send my worst enemy to longford
Haha, Richard, I’m Longford born and bred! Why would you say that?
I once got a speeding ticket driving through Longford. Best money I’ve ever spent.
Because it is a kip. Can’t go in there without seeing skum bags hanging around the square all the time
Haha, whatever you say James. I’m proud to be from Longford. I love the place.
It’s the same in most towns Rick?
Ye I suppose, the Midlands is worse though
Yeah it is bad Rick. The Midlands have also had huge amounts of immigrants moving here. Particularly here in Longford. There are entire parts of our town without a single Irish person living there, mainly because housing here in Longford is so cheap, particularly rental.
You better not say anything bad about immigration or the liberal nightmare brigade will brand you a racist
Yeah, I know too well Rick!
To blame all Longfords problems on the immigrant community is too simplistic, I am from the county and I have never had any trouble from any immigrants, who were the ones who attacked paramedics only doing their job last week?? They werent immigrants….
No Diarmuid, but there is a lot of trouble being caused in the town particularly by non-nationals.
@Alex criminal activity in the town the majority of the time is committed by the traveller community and people from certain IRISH sections on the community.Minority are non nationals.But you seem to have a gripe with non nationals .
Interesting that the Journal will mention McFadden relationship but not the O’Rourke one
Dunno what some people have going on in their lives but obviously not a whole lot when they post some pathetic comments on here. I would love to live their lives for a day – it must be so exciting and fulfilling!!
At the end of the day Longford is going to get absolutely nothing as per usual. Nothing in this town. Not even a mention of Connolly Barracks Closure. Town full of strangers. A new bus load everyday. Filth of all nationalities including Irish. No social scene not even a nightclub anymore. Id say theres more hope of finding a job in the Sahara than in Longford. I am Longford born and bred and its a disgrace how the government/ so called candidates have let us local people down. And as for the il -educated that talk down Longford… Theres the best of people that come from the county. As for this campaign Westmeath Westmeath Westmeath… Nothing new!
You seem to be forgetting that Longford already has a TD and Mullingar has two. Athlone, the largest town in the constituency, as well as the whole of the south of the constituency would be left without a TD if the parties had not chosen from there. For once FF made a correct decision and are probably looking more towards the General Election than this one. There is huge anger at FG/Lab in town over Western Command and the water tax but sadly this still looks like going with the sympathy vote for Gabrielle McFadden. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a nice lady and was good at running a pet shop, but is that a qualification to be a good TD? I doubt it. Let’s not forget she backed Cllr. Cooney’s attempt to censor the Luan Art Gallery last year saying that public galleries should not show politically contentious art, hardly good judgement or policy. The Independent Boxer Moran will do well in the town due to the large amount of voluntary work he does but will struggle against the party machines outside of it.
I think they would worry why the never win a GAA game between them. Should make them one county and call it Longmeath. I doubt they win then but at least they can have a wider group of useless footballers to choose from
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