NON-PARTY CANDIDATES:INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES, who often struggle for the final seat in constituencies, are expecting a big boost in votes this time out, and say they are relieved to be free from the support of any of the major parties.
Sitting Cork city councillor David McCarthy left Fianna Fáil two years ago after he failed to secure a nomination for the general election. He says he is now “delighted” to be an Independent.
“If I was still in Fianna Fáil I wouldn’t run because I wouldn’t be elected and I wouldn’t put myself or my family through being rejected at every doorway.”
Fianna Fáil had “crucified” people in the budget, Mr McCarthy said, and the electorate was showing a “terrible anger” towards the Government.
It is not just Fianna Fáil from which Independent candidates are enjoying some distance. Donegal county councillor Pádraig Doherty was 10 years with Fine Gael, but was dropped from the party ticket this year. “They shafted me. I wasn’t prepared to sit back and lick that lollipop, and I’m delighted now because I’m getting a very warm and positive response from the electorate.”
Two relatives of rebel Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness are running for Kilkenny County Council. His son Andrew is running for Fianna Fáil; his brother Eugene is an Independent. “I was never in Fianna Fáil. I have canvassed for my brother John, and I would again, but not because he’s in Fianna Fáil but because he stands up and speaks out.”
Mr McGuinness said he would not consider being a member of any party on Kilkenny County Council. “The present council is totally out of touch with the needs of Kilkenny. They have failed miserably on planning matters. Old medieval Kilkenny is a dream; it’s gone. It’s a disaster.”
In Dublin, writer Mannix Flynn, who is running for the city council for the first time, is also making a stand against the established parties. “People aren’t getting proper representation from Dublin city councillors. The councillors have an allegiance to the council, not the city, and the council has a corporate sensibility, not a civil sensibility.”
Mr Flynn said he believes the points system used for the allocation of social housing is “corrupt”.
In Sligo, Cllr Margaret Gormley said being an Independent allowed her to speak freely about any issue without having to toe the party line. “There are so many issues... the lack of infrastructure in relation to broadband, the retention of cancer-care services, the retention of Sligo General Hospital itself...I can speak my mind and not be curtailed by any party whip.”
