More weird posters have found their way into us this morning.  

First off, someone - namely Dublin 98’s Dave Moore - has been having fun with the posters for Brian Greene, the Socialist Party candidate in the newly formed Malahide/Howth electoral area, who bears more than a passing resemblance to Father Dougal McGuire off the telly.  

Note the way Greene has allowed his posters to be shared with Joe Higgins. That’s true Socialism in action. They walk it like they talk it, those folk.  

And the prize for weirdest poster of the campaign goes to Seamas O’Neill, an Independent running for the local elections in Dundrum, South Dublin.  We’d definitely give this chap our vote, if only because of the effort he’s put into his posters and the lack of ego he’s displayed by allowing himself to be portrayed as a cartoon. We all know most politicians are muppets. At least he’s being up front about it.  

(Thanks to Keith for taking the photo.)  

 One chap who is forgoing the whole poster route is Athlone town council candidate, Cllr John Butler, who has announced he won’t be putting up any this year as they cause litter and are an “eyesore”.  

Sheesh, the poor man must have an awful self-image. Either that or he’s ugly as Susan Boyle chewing a wasp.  

Whether or not this ploy is a neat way of avoiding the dilemma shared by so many fellow Fianna Fáilers of what prominence to give the party on their posters is unknown.  

Whatever the motivation, it’s a brave decision. John, a 24-year veteran of the council, says he doesn’t expect his performance to suffer as a result.  ”I think the voters know that the local election is not a beauty contest”.

Oh yeah? So how do you explain the selection as candidates by the main parties of so many fine young things of both sexes?

See if you can spot John among this bevy of beauties.

Clockwise, from top left: Maria Parodi (Labour), John Lyons (Labour) Niamh Moran (Fianna Fail), Catherine Yore (Fine Gael), John Butler (Fianna Fail), Rebecca Moynihan (Labour)

campaignwatch@irishtimes.com