FF hopefuls feeling the heat in Limerick
FIANNA Fail local election candidates across Limerick are experiencing first hand the anger that exists towards the party given the state of the country's finances.
Some candidates have had doors slammed in their faces while others have been told they will not be supported on polling day. Last month Cllr Eddie Wade, Castleconnell electoral area, told the Limerick Leader the party was in disarray locally.
Speaking this Wednesday he said things haven't changed since: "The Fianna Fail organisation in Limerick is non existent, our communication is very poor because as far as I am concerned it has been taken over by certain people and no meeting has been held locally about this election which I find extraordinary."
He added: "I have had conversations with people on the doorsteps who have told me they will not be voting Fianna Fail this time round but they have said they will give me a vote because they know I speak my mind and that I have been working hard for them so it is a personal vote as opposed to a Fianna Fail vote."
First time candidate in the Kilmallock electoral area, Mary Bourke says she too has experienced an anti-Fianna Fail feeling on the doorsteps.
"There is a bit of an anti Fianna Fail feeling out there all right and people are anxious and worried and angry but all I can do is try to give them hope and I keep telling them there is light at the end of the tunnel and that it is not all doom and gloom," said Mrs Bourke, who is a sister of Defence Minister Willie O'Dea.
Businessman Joe Crowley, who is seeking election in the Limerick City North electoral area, says some voters won't event talk to Fianna Fail candidates.
"On one occasion last week one of my canvassers only got as far as the door when the door was kicked and slammed shut. I don't event know if it was directed at me or at Fianna Fail but the door practically came off its hinge it was so violent," he said.
"In several cases we have not gotten the opportunity to talk to people because of the anger that exists but in other cases, once we manage to get the dialogue open, it is all about the local issues but people are certainly upset that their wages have been cut," he added.
During his whistlestop tour of county Limerick on Monday, Taoiseach Brian Cowen rejected what he said was the media portrayal that Fianna Fail candidates are not getting a reception on the doorsteps.
"People vote local, although there are national issues impinging on this. People will get something off their chest and then they talk in a respectful way," he said.
"I believe that people are resilient enough to say that this is what has to be done – we cannot defer decisions. We will take whatever decisions are required to get Ireland through. There are no soft options," he added.
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Weather for Limerick
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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