Compiled by OLIVIA KELLY and MICHAEL MCHALE
Candidates who jumped the gun fined
FINES TOTALLING more than €9,000 have been issued to election candidates who erected posters in Dublin city before the official election period which began on May 6th.
More than 60 posters were mounted on polls around the city, mainly during the May bank holiday weekend. Under new legislation, candidates can only erect posters from 30 days before the polling date. All posters must be down by June 12th. On-the-spot fines of €150 are issued to candidates who break the time limit.
Dublin City Council has issued more than 60 fines to those who broke the rules. Tony McDermott, a Green Party candidate for the council’s Crumlin/Kimmage ward, who sought the information from the council, said he “warmly welcomed” the issuing of fines. The council said offenders had 21 days to appeal or pay their fines and it would not “name and shame” them unless they failed to pay up. It would not say if any Green Party candidates were among those fined.
Brennan's Babes join campaign
In what must be an appeal for the “lads” vote, Dublin South byelection candidate Shay Brennan has recruited what he calls “Brennan’s Babes” to unveil a new campaign T-shirt in Dundrum tomorrow. The self-proclaimed “avid” rugby fan also plans to be in pubs in Goatstown and Rathfarnham today.
A spokesman for Mr Brennan said the babes were sisters of the candidate and their friends but the T-shirt was suitable for men.
Low-carbon hoofprint
Its a method of transport that would put the Greens to shame. Independent local election candidate Jim Breen has ditched the car in favour of a horse and cart as he tries to get his message across to Wexford voters.
The horse trainer even has his own personalised number plate for the cart – WX 1HP (one horse power).
“I used to have a van . . . but I didn’t like it, it was too bumpy,” said Mr Breen, known locally as the Horse Whisperer. “This way I have zero emissions.”
The first-time candidate had thought of running for the Greens but admitted he “wouldn’t be in love with their policies”.
Sinn Féin hopeful has car stolen
A local election hopeful had her car stolen this week while on the campaign trail.
Antoinette Rooney, a Sinn Féin candidate running for Navan Town Council in Co Meath, was dropping leaflets in Johnstown when her car was taken on Wednesday morning.
She has since received offers for use of a car from her husband and her party but also, touchingly, the chairman of the Johnstown Residents Association.
Quotes
"I would be quite honest and say I don't have a huge knowledge about agriculture." – Labour East candidate for Europe Nessa Childers speaking on KCLR local radio
"The most charitable conclusion that I can draw is that he is posturing for media purposes." – Fine Gael Senator Joe O'Reilly on his North-West European running-mate Jim Higgins
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