THE TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will travel to Limerick tomorrow in the first of a nationwide tour to meet Fianna Fáil candidates in the upcoming local elections.
Speaking at the launch of the party’s candidates in Limerick city and Castleconnell, local TD and Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea admitted the upcoming campaign would be “tough” for his party.
“It will be a very, very tough campaign. I’ve been through a lot of local elections and general elections and I can never remember one where the atmosphere was worse,” said Mr O’Dea.
The Government has made “unpopular decision in the national interest” that could result in a difficult time for candidates on the doorsteps, according to Mr O’Dea.
“If you can convince them you can be a good local candidate and you are trying to improve their particular area, you are in with as good a chance as anyone,” he advised.
The Taoiseach will travel to Limerick for a party rally and is expected to meet local candidates as part of a nationwide tour.
The event will be held at the Strand Hotel at 6.30pm and Mr O’Dea encouraged each candidate to “bring along at least six people each to have a good turnout in Limerick for the Taoiseach”.
Mr O’Dea said the Taoiseach also planned to visit a number of community groups in the city.
Fianna Fáil’s local election candidates in the Castleconnell area of Limerick are Cllr Eddie Wade, Cllr Noreen Ryan, Cllr Noel Gleeson, Brian Stokes and Joe Meagher.
The candidates in the city are Jim Hickey, Anna Banko and Tom O’Callaghan, (Limerick City South); Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon and Christy McInerney in Limerick City East; and Cllr John Cronin and Joe Crowley (Limerick City North).