Bad things will happen to us if a "conservative" President is elected, was the message from Adi Roche yesterday. A shadow would be cast, the "people's candidate" said ominously, if we vote for such a person. Ms Roche was canvassing in Co Kildare yesterday and took the opportunity to warn against voting the wrong way. "We will end up with a conservative President before you can snap your fingers and I find it a frightening prospect. I have a huge fear of a frightening roll back," she said, speaking at the Genesis Youth Club in Leixlip.
All the progress of the liberal agenda over recent years will be "sidelined and marginalised. I don't think it has fully dawned on people yet but there are 11 days to go to the election and I want to get that message across: a conservative Presidency will reflect right into Irish life".
Everyone, she said, knew her agenda. It was out in the open for all to see. But the other candidates had been less than forthcoming. "I've come up with strong proposals and a vision for the Presidency. Nobody else has matched those. People have a right to know what we stand for. We need to get some clear explanations." It was the perfect opportunity, if one were needed, to ask about the revelations of Prof Mary McAleese's alleged links with Sinn Fein. "I think up until now I have been saying very clearly that it is a case of innocent until proven guilty. But we have new evidence now and if there is more let's see it. My campaign is very open, so let's get everything out on the table now. However, it is up to the general public to ask the questions that need to be asked, not me because I am a candidate."
Ms Roche had been inspecting a project on Chernobyl at the youth club which has raised £120,000 for the Chernobyl children in the past three years. Simon Lang (16), from Glendale, confidently showed the presidential candidate the project, for which the group has won awards, and photographs of Chernobyl children who had visited the area.
Earlier, Ms Roche had dropped the flag for the students of St Mary's Boys' National School in Maynooth who were taking part in a 14-mile sponsored cycle to raise funds for the school.
Up to 150 boys, from the junior infants to the bigger boys in sixth class, were taking part, with a shortened route for the younger ones. If they had a vote it looked as if Adi would have been the unanimous choice. They made a rush for her as she arrived.
"Don't worry, Adi will come in to see you," said principal Peter Mullan, as he kept his charges safely inside the school gate. The candidate did a tour of the yard, speaking to the young cyclists and signing autographs with "it's about love and peace - Adi".
Nine-year-old Kenneth Corbally thought she was a "nice person" and would definitely give her a vote if he was old enough. "I think she'll get it," said seven-year-old Danni Finnan. "She's very kind." In fact the boys will express their preferences when they have their own school-based presidential election next week.
Afterwards, Ms Roche gave an interview to an NBC camera crew. The US station is broadcasting a show on women in power around the world this week. Asked about a presidential election with four female candidates in the race, she said that it "sent out a very strong message to the women of the world" and that there had been a "quiet revolution in the kitchens of Ireland".
Regardless of whether she wins or loses the election, Ms Roche revealed that afterwards she will have to face into a major packing job. "Whatever happens on October 30th I will have to get packing - either to the Aras or to Chernobyl, because we have a convoy leaving the following week."