We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MARY Davis is calling on her fellow candidates to distance themselves from what she’s calling ‘dirty tricks’.
In a statement released today, Davis cited revelations in today’s Sunday Business Post, which claim that Fine Gael has engaged the services of a polling company to test negative messages about the candidates.
Fine Gael has said that it is doing campaign research, but a spokesperson did not confirm to the Sunday Business Post if the party is working with the company in question.
Davis, who has been made aware of negative messages about her being put to those being polled, has said that it is a “clear indication that someone seems determined to make this campaign more about partisan mud slinging and less about ideas and vision”.
Davis also said that it was unclear to her who was carrying out the negative polling, but has called on all of the other presidential campaigns to reject the negative polling techniques.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Maybe Mary might ask her extra councils to back another candidate to make the election as democratic as possible.
Non-argument as there are still SIXTEEN councils free to support Norris, Dana and two other candidates if they want to enter the race.
Talking about dirty tricks-it’s rumoured that David Norris advised the Irish rugby team to feign injuries so that that they could beat Australia. It’s all in a letter that will come out in due course.
Ryan, you just made my day. that is one of the funniest peices of bullshit I’ve read on this site. campaign for Davis much?
@ Paul: Apologies for having an opinion you think is “bullshit”. I’d never be so arrogant as to call your opinion bullshit.
And I’ve never campaigned for Davis. I just think she’s more presidential than any of the other candidates.
Ryan, that wasn’t opinion. that was falicy presented as fact.
Falicy?
Who is Mary Davis just another nobody looking for a free gaff in the park .
I think she was credited in having a large part in the Special Olympics showcase in Croke Park. I don’t know anything about the Special Olympics other than what occurred that time was a spectacular event. It was a fantastic achievement!
Yea a no body who has spent the last 25 years helping people with special need bringing the Special_Olympics to Ireland …. Unlike Norris who spent the last 10years in the upper house doing very little
That is so unfair Francis and illustrates how little you know
she is also one if the orcgestrators of the demise of the DAA having been a prominent and well paid member of their board. as far as I’m aware she was one of Bertie’s chosen ones when it came to government appointments.
@Paul: At least she was chosen based on her Special Olympics record as opposed to “being Bertie’s mate” which seemed to be the usual criteria for nomination to a state board.
Actually Ryan if you read this weeks Phoenix Magazine you will see that she has some interesting FF helpers and is also known as “Queen of the Quango’s”
Wow!!! Someone at journal.ie must really hate Mary Davis!!! Nice photo you’ve chosen. Disgusting that a pro-Norris site like this resorts to such "dirty tricks"
@Irish Pride The picture used is a stock image from a small selection available. There is no bias intended nor does TheJournal.ie have position with relation to election candidates.
did you actually see the picture they used of Norris earlier… not pretty!
Emer I cant believe you wasted time replying to Irish Pride silly comment.
Nice coming from the Queen of the Quangos (Shane Ross) who only needed 4 County Council approvals but still canvassed other councils when she already had the 4 – thus eliminating them from other candidates!!
Sorry jimmy d you make it sound like I should know who Mary Davis is and I would not knock her work for the special Olympics but barring doing a search I have asked other people who she is and nobody could tell me .
Who cares, why are you all so religiously obsessed with such a ridiculous role? The functions of the office should be jointly transferred to your Taoiseach and the Chief Justice. When it comes to referring legislation to the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice could fulfil that function, while the Taoiseach and Tanaiste could fulfil the silly ceremonial functions. We all know the office of President is really only symbolic, but would somebody please tell me what it is a symbol of greed or stupidity? Ireland’s the laughing stock of the world, first you sign away your sovereignty and independence, now you go crazy over the most pointless job on earth ????
seriously piss off with the same comment on every thread!!
All different comments David, same context. By your measurement everyone on similar threads should p**s off because all the pro Norris, or pro whoever are repeating the exact same sentiments in every post. Have a nice day David, try not to be so angry x
Go away please. You’ve made your point over and over, it doesn’t mean we’re going to agree with you any more.
About the last few lines of your comment, if you’re trying to win people over to your point of view I suggest that you do it by not insulting them by saying they’re the “laughing stock of the world”. We’re the only PIIGS nation that has had much success in getting our finances under control. I’ve been in Madrid for the past month and it seems like there is some form of unrest in Puerta del Sol every bloody night. The Spanish economy’s in a mess – 20% unemployment, 50% youth unemployment. Italy, Portugal and Greece are worse. If anything, we’re the shining light of those countries and this is reflected by the cut in our interest rates and praise in the international community.
All of this is irrelevant to the role of the President either way – it being a constitutional safeguard against unconstitutional laws, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and as the head of state.So while I wouldn’t normally be so proud of my country you can piss off with your smug, sneering comments on every bloody article. I don’t know what you get from such a sad zeal but it’s not changing anyone’s mind here.
Yawn!
@Angels don’t dare assume what my logic or meaning is. We get it you don’t like the Irish president we get the message now piss off annoying us. And look at your own country before bashing ours. The last 2 presidents were amazing influential people who have done great things for Ireland. Your endless crap is annoying.
Go was out your mouth young man, that is no way to speak to a lady !!! Great to see my words are affecting you Irish in some way, pity now that you wouldn’t direct that passion into caring about the state of your country and changing it. Nobody is asking yo to read what I write young man, watch the X Factor instead xxx
So many angry Irish people here today… I’m shocked, didn’t think you had it in you to be honest! )))))
Responding to you was a mistake Angels, one which I won’t repeat. Don’t feel the trolls, everyone.
Hmm I would label a sad guy who comes on here to threaten and bully a lady for having an opinion a ‘Troll’. Yes it was a mistake for you to reply to me, you have neither the intellect or knowledge to…so best go back to your play station and stop wading out of your depth, you just look like a silly bully :)
@ Angels
1) Get a life.
2) Stop lying.
3) Do some research before you show your own ignorance up.
4) You’re wrong on Presidents refusing to sign bills – they have refused.
5) Learn how to spell.
6) Please consider using correct English grammar and punctuation.
You ask me to learn manners when you insult an entire nation of over 4.5 million people. You are racist, xenophobic, and ignorant. You fill the comments sections with lies, half-truths, misinformation and uneducated opinion. You shout it at everyone. When someone challenges your idiotic baseless opinions and provides you with the correct information, you state bluntly that you couldn’t be bothered reading it. So not only are you ignorant, but you don’t even want to educate yourself on the matter at hand. That shows up another trait of yours – either stupidity or laziness. I’ll let you decide which one you are. I told you to get a life because you seem to do nothing but spend all day looking for President-related articles to spout your rubbish. And not only that, but when you do spout it, much of it comes across as completely incoherent thanks to your grasp of English spelling and grammar (my cousin can do better and she’s only 6!).
ha,ha Im a what ?????? l
Is this a wind up?
:D
Bobby???? ;) I know its you, you rascal
@angels your comments are welcome, though I probably disagree with most of them. No harm to pull a few rugs from under feet every now and again, especially ones about our great nation.
Thank you Donnacha, if anyone actually reads what I write…. they will see I’m not all that crazy kid above me says I am. My words are my opinions, I assure you that many, many. many others share my oppinion. basically all I said was
A, The Irish president is paid too much
B, The Irish presidency is pointless and should be dissolved
C, Irish people voted away their sovereignty and independence
D, There is an apathy and indifference in Ireland that is bemusing
E. Considering the obsession with the Irish presidency, one would think that your country was Utopia without serious economic problems
F, Other nations mock you in the media (Fact)
G, Ireland is an insignificant political entity, it doesn’t need a president so grossly over[paid
H, The money is better spent in suicide prevention, teachers, hospitals etc etc
Now, because of these views this uneducated clown above write that I am a ” racist, xenophobic, and ignorant. You fill the comments sections with lies, half-truths, misinformation and uneducated opinion”
I have to laugh at this persons immaturity and waffling, but on a serious note it is this same ignorance and stupidity that has labelled your people a nation of brainwashed sheep, more worried about a useless president and the x factor than the realities of Ireland in 2011. Its sad to watch :(
Sheep are sheep )))))
Really Angels – for someone who claimed that you knew little or nothing about Irish GAA sport earlier this week – you have proven once again equally, that you have scored another zero in regards to your knowledge of Ireland and politics.
Your hugely derogatory comments concerning our current Uachtaran – Mary Mc Aleese , are both deeply offensive , ignorant and obviously setting to gain the record for thumbs down on Journal.ie !
You are a joke at best!
@ Angels Spain – You keep going on and on about how irrelevant and overpaid our head of state is. Your head of state is an unelected monarch who has sat on the throne for over thirty years since being appointed by a fascist dictator who ignored the Spanish line of succession to ensure he had a pliable successor he could mould in his own image. And we’re the "sheep"?
Sorry angel transfer responsibility of the role Presidency to An Taoisach can you imagine the state we would be in in 6 months we need to Transfer That taoisach out of the country at this early stage but I see your point but I have to disagree with you for one point only the President has a role to play representing and protecting Ireland
Now have we got any candidate running for the office I do not think we have
Stop feeding the troll…
Anyone as low in the polls as Davis needs every bit of publicity they can garner.
Hang on, weren’t the ‘negative messages’ just informing people that Mary was on a few boards(The DAA, the Bertie Bowl etc).
How is that dirty tricks Mary?
Are you not proud of the work you did on these boards?
Rich coming from the Queen of the Quangos – (Shane Ross) – had got 4 County Council with her but still canvassed many more "dog in the manger" style. Bertie A buddy !!
What’s Mary hiding?
is that really mary whatsherface in that picture? in her own ad pictures she looks like an advert for kellogs special k
I am surprised a ‘foreign’ troll would have heard of Udaras na Gaeilge.
Anyone for the last few choc ices ??
Herald or the Press?
Wonder if David Norris buzz marketing counts as a dirty trick or not, but here’s some: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpYrSKteVcY
She will soon be forgotten like the nobody she is !
if those wrinkles could talk.
have your say