Sligo Election Candidates

Madge

I know there's a forum dedicated to the General Election, but I was just curious to know how people in Sligo will vote?
Myself, I still don't know who to vote for but I know I'm def not voting for Fine Gael- Imelda Henry!

muffler

Madge wrote:

I know there's a forum dedicated to the General Election, but I was just curious to know how people in Sligo will vote?
Myself, I still don't know who to vote for but I know I'm def not voting for Fine Gael- Imelda Henry!

Add a poll and use the parties as the options rather than the candidates as there would be too many.

brianthebard

South Sligo or North Sligo? I haven't been home in a while and I don't know who's running can people help me?

Madge

muffler wrote:

Add a poll and use the parties as the options rather than the candidates as there would be too many.

Done!

Madge

Sorry- forgot to add the 'PD's', 'Greens' and 'Other' options! Can't edit poll so 1 of the mods will have to...

muffler

Madge wrote:

Sorry- forgot to add the 'PD's', 'Greens' and 'Other' options! Can't edit poll so 1 of the mods will have to...

Literally ran out of options so I grouped the Greens/others together



Edit: Just discovered I could add another couple of options so I have now separated the greens from the others

Paddy20

Madge wrote:

Sorry- forgot to add the 'PD's', 'Greens' and 'Other' options! Can't edit poll so 1 of the mods will have to...

Sorry Madge, but this is the North-West Forum as far as I am aware, but I agree we need a North West opinion poll on the partie's, perhaps muffler could arrange this on a fair and equitable basis .

P.:cool:

Madge

Paddy20 wrote:

Sorry Madge, but this is the North-West Forum as far as I am aware, but I agree we need a North West opinion poll on the partie's, perhaps muffler could arrange this on a fair and equitable basis .

P.:cool:

Yes sorry, but I thought Sligo and N. Leitrim have the same candidates though.. Perhaps there could be a big thread on the election in general or something,
I don't really know!

muffler

In fairness I could see what Madge was trying to achieve - gauge the political feeling in the Sligo/North Leitrim area. Im sure it will be interesting to people in those areas but probably not that important to people in Donegal.

What I will do is open a couple of threads with polls added for the 2 Donegal constituencies thus keeping everyone happy.



Edit:On second thoughts one thread would be enough

brianthebard

muffler wrote:

Literally ran out of options so I grouped the Greens/others together



Edit: Just discovered I could add another couple of options so I have now separated the greens from the others

We only have four choices anyways though don't we?

Madge

Hey, how do you mean we only have 4 choices?
I think I'll vote labour- McGarry

brianthebard

Labour, FG, FF and SF? http://www.mycandidate.ie/list.php?cid=38

muffler

brianthebard wrote:

Labour, FG, FF and SF? http://www.mycandidate.ie/list.php?cid=38

Is that the final line up of candidates or are nominations still open?

Gillie

I think that's it all right.

brianthebard

muffler wrote:

Is that the final line up of candidates or are nominations still open?

Its changed again, there's now a green candidate and a fathers rights responsibility candidate! Can the poll be altered to reflect this and perhaps take out the PD option, since they haven't (and probably won't) be running someone in Sligo. There's also no independent on the mycandidate list, but are there any running?

muffler

brianthebard wrote:

Its changed again, there's now a green candidate and a fathers rights responsibility candidate! Can the poll be altered to reflect this and perhaps take out the PD option, since they haven't (and probably won't) be running someone in Sligo. There's also no independent on the mycandidate list, but are there any running?

Well I did ask the question if the nominations were closed and failed to get an answer other than someone saying they thought so . Until such time as someone can show me or give a link to info that proves that nominations are closed then the poll will have to stay the way it is.

Cant see why you are put out about it.

brianthebard

Not put out at all, its not a big deal. I don't know when nominations close.

muffler

brianthebard wrote:

and a fathers rights responsibility candidate!

That would fall into the others section as they dont have a registered party AFAIK

guinnessdrinker

There is at least one independant running, Andy "The Bull" MacSharry, from North Sligo.

nanook

guinnessdrinker wrote:

There is at least one independant running, Andy "The Bull" MacSharry, from North Sligo.

I have heard this guys slogan, something on the line of lets get the bullocks out of leinster house and let a bull take charge, something on those lines.
I beleive he has been hyped up around the ballintrillick area for the hill walking crusade, simillar to the MMDS situation in Donegal in 97/98.

So can anyone share who is actually running.

Sean McManus and Andy McSharry is all i am aware of, is Perry from Ballymote running this year.

muffler

nanook wrote:

So can anyone share who is actually running.

Sean McManus and Andy McSharry is all i am aware of, is Perry from Ballymote running this year.

Well this is a list but I dont see McSharry on it

Madge

nanook wrote:

I have heard this guys slogan, something on the line of lets get the bullocks out of leinster house and let a bull take charge, something on those lines.
I beleive he has been hyped up around the ballintrillick area for the hill walking crusade, simillar to the MMDS situation in Donegal in 97/98.

Even if he was running, He would only get the vote of the farmers, nobody else. He seems to have nothing tangible to offer.

nanook wrote:

Sean McManus and Andy McSharry is all i am aware of, is Perry from Ballymote running this year.

Yep, John Perry (is that who you're reffering to?) is running. I remember at my grad last year he shook my hand and was making conversation. He came across a bit smarmy.
But I've decided to vote Labour anyway- McGarry. Did anyone hear about his election posters at Rosses Pt.? Apparently the eyes on ALL his posters were cut out :eek: And he knows who did it!

BTW, is 'Bertiegate' deterring anyone from giving their vote to Fianna Fail?

BTW, I see Sinn Fein have the majority of the votes on the poll. What are the reasons why people are voting for them? Just out of interest..

Gillie

Madge wrote:

BTW, is 'Bertiegate' deterring anyone from giving their vote to Fianna Fail?

BTW, I see Sinn Fein have the majority of the votes on the poll. What are the reasons why people are voting for them? Just out of interest..

Yes to your question to Bertiegate. I don't trust the man! I don't want FF in government anymore. I will not be voting FF!

As for Sinn Fein. If I was to vote McManus it would be on the basis that he addresses issues that are important to me in his "promises if elected".
-N17 Ballinacarrow to Tubber road
-N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road
-Widening of Hughes bridge
-Commitment to the Western Rail Coridoor (sp?)
-other items I cannot remember right now.

I know these things might never happen but at least he seems to be interested in highlighting them!

There is one thing I'm not sure we'd agree on though. Sinn Fein are totally against Nuclear Power in Ireland.
I'm not 100% sure that we can afford to totally ignore the option. I would hate to see Nuclear Power in Ireland but unless we find a viable alternative we may not have a choice!:(

brianwilliams82

Does anyone have any ideas what time the polls will be open until? Specifically in the Ballysadare area?
I have to come down from Dublin in order to vote, all because the f***ing election was called on a Sunday, and you had to have your application for a postal vote in on Tuesday evening!!! Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?????!!!!!!

Can anyone, anywhere, give me a valid reason as to why the vote cannot take place on a Saturday? How many people like me, working away from home, will be unable to vote because of it? Smack-bang in the middle of college exams too!

If FF want people to vote, they sure know how to make it hard for them.

brianthebard

Gillie wrote:

Yes to your question to Bertiegate. I don't trust the man! I don't want FF in government anymore. I will not be voting FF!

As for Sinn Fein. If I was to vote McManus it would be on the basis that he addresses issues that are important to me in his "promises if elected".
-N17 Ballinacarrow to Tubber road
-N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road
-Widening of Hughes bridge
-Commitment to the Western Rail Coridoor (sp?)
-other items I cannot remember right now.

I don't think these are issues that anyone else will be ignoring and tbh they seem much more like county council issues than dail issues. I won't be voting SF btw, I just can't get my head around what they represent anymore apart from a united Ireland and they seem to be flip flopping on issues such as tax. Have they put out a manifesto yet I wonder?

Madge

brianwilliams82 wrote:

Does anyone have any ideas what time the polls will be open until? Specifically in the Ballysadare area?

I think you can vote from 7am to 10pm.

brianthebard wrote:

I don't think these are issues that anyone else will be ignoring and tbh they seem much more like county council issues than dail issues. I won't be voting SF btw, I just can't get my head around what they represent anymore apart from a united Ireland and they seem to be flip flopping on issues such as tax. Have they put out a manifesto yet I wonder?

I find their economic promises a bit up in the sky so to speak. They want to provide more beds in hospitals (as does every party!), provide more social and affordable housing and tackle anti-social behaviour by working with communities or something and they have promised on all the infrastructure issues Gillie has mentioned. Though I'm not voting for them. They just don't appeal to me

il gatto

Fine Gael have made an interesting decision by running 3 candidates. Perry is relatively safe with a loyal following. Devins for Fianna Fáil too, though god knows why. He's been a constant non-presence since his election, and that stunt the evening before the last election of sticking up dozens of posters all over Sligo town with "Devins delivers Mid Block Money" on them, only for the funding to be pulled again a couple of days later was brazen in the extreme.
Anyway, I digress. Fine Gael have run two others aprt from Perry, those being Imelda Henry in Sligo town and Michael Comiskey in North Leitrim. Comiskey is in with a good chance, as unless north leitrim returns him, they will have no T.D. of their own to represent them. Imelda Henry could possibly damage his vote in the Glencar/Calry areas though. I am fairly sure she is there to stop Labour taking the third seat and take votes from Devins also.
Eamonn Scanlon is also a Fianna Fáil possibility. He's a south Sligo, rural candidate, so will take all those local Fianna Fáil votes, along with Devins' seconds. However, John Perry is the dominant force in the area. And to be honest, Scanlon hasn't had much to say for himself either. I'm sure he's a nice guy (I've heard he is), but a bit too much in the old mould of rural T.D.s.
MacManus doesn't have a hope. The larger parties will take the three seats, be it 2 Fianna Fáil, 1 Fine Gael or visa versa, with an outside hope for Jimmy McGarry for Labour.
Personally, I think Fine Gael is the way to go for the constituency, as Perry has a chance at a Junior Ministry, or could be in the wings for full Ministry down the line. One of Sligo's biggest problems for the last twenty years is the fact that it hasn't had a minister. Just a succesion of anonamous T.D.s of the governing party who sat at the back and kept their mouths shut (Devins, Brennan etc.) Look at the road infrastucture Castlebar had ten years ago due to Padraig Flynn, or Donegal's upgrading of major roads. Ministers bring money, and neither Devins or Scanlon are within an ass' roar of a ministry.

muffler

il gatto wrote:

Ministers bring money

Apart from what Jim McDaid brought to the county a few years ago I dont think any county benefits that much by having a minister. Maybe this is a consequence of McDaid's actions

Madge

il gatto wrote:

Devins for Fianna Fáil too, though god knows why. He's been a constant non-presence since his election, and that stunt the evening before the last election of sticking up dozens of posters all over Sligo town with "Devins delivers Mid Block Money" on them, only for the funding to be pulled again a couple of days later was brazen in the extreme.

Can't remember that incident. I do know he marched with the nurses on the strike here and emphatically said they deserved to get what they wanted, and that puts me off voting for him, as I don't believe the nurses should get their demands, but that's for another thread.

il gatto wrote:

Anyway, I digress. Fine Gael have run two others aprt from Perry, those being Imelda Henry in Sligo town

She came to my door the other day and had nothing really to offer. She had nothing to say about industry or jobs. She just pointed out the current govt. had wasted a lot of money and it would be good for the N.W to have a taoiseach from Mayo. Not convincing enough imo.

il gatto wrote:

MacManus doesn't have a hope. Personally, I think Fine Gael is the way to go for the constituency,

Your assumptions doesn't tally with the poll on this thread though. Sinn Fein have got the most votes

il gatto wrote:

One of Sligo's biggest problems for the last twenty years is the fact that it hasn't had a minister. Just a succesion of anonamous T.D.s of the governing party who sat at the back and kept their mouths shut (Devins, Brennan etc.)

True, IMO Marian Harkin didn't do much when she was in the Dail. Yeah she was often on the radio saying the N.W. gets less funds than the East etc. but she hasn't done anything concrete. She said she gave up her Dail seat in favour of Brussels because she could do more work for Ireland at the parliament than the Dail. I don't believe that for a second. I'll bet she gets a huge salary as an MEP.

guinnessdrinker

I agree with you il gatto, its interesting what Fine Gael did, putting 3 candidtates up for election. I dont know too much about Comiskey though. I also agree that Devins seems to have been a non presence since his election, which surprised me a bit, I thought he would have been a fairly high profile TD.

I dont think, however that McGarry even has an outside hope, which is unfortunate because I think he would make a good TD, I also think Sean MacManus would be a good servant for the constituency, he has a very good record on the both the borough and county councils.

I haven't heard too much from the Andy "The Bull" MacSharry though, last time he seemed to be getting more exposure.

One thing I am sure of is that it will be an interesting election count.

muffler

You can view the latest odds here

il gatto

I still feel that McManus won't do it. He's not as astute as Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin or as high profile as Mary Lou McDonald. Another factor which will count against him is the new layout in constituencies. South Leitrim esp. Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, Carrigallen etc. have always been a huge source of votes for Sinn Fein. As those votes are now in the Roscommon/South Leitrim area, McManus will primarily be relying on town voters, and a less concentrated rural Sinn Fein vote than previously. He may also pick up 3rd and 4th votes, but the seats may already be filled by then.
McGarry has a chance, albeit a smallish one, because the general disaffection with the current government may tempt people to give him 2nd votes with a view to the alternative coalition.
Andy "The Bullocks" McSharry is an embarrassment for Sligo. He's a self important, self promoting muck savage who has given North Sligo farmers a bad name. He's a one issue candidate and that one issue is almost a non issue, since the government has vastly reduced farmers liability in cases of injury of uninvited walkers on farms. His land is not even the most used by walkers in the Ballintrillick area. His signage outside his house is ridiculous and should be removed as an eyesore. Does anyone know if he still chains himself to his gate wearing a gag on Sundays? A guy I know from the area said he did it every Sunday, but that was a few years ago.
He received 303 votes the last time he ran, and I see no reason why he's expected to gain many more. Maybe it's the catchy, self bestowed nickname he borrowed from John B. Keane (or Richard Harris as the case may be).

Madge

There is another independent running: John Higgins from Tourlestrane. Read in the paper that he thinks the Dail should move to the West. Ha not likely

guinnessdrinker

Just caught 25 minutes of Ocean FM where they had some of the canditates on. Comikey, Scanlon, Perry, McSharry.

None had much to say in my opinion, Comiskey kept talking about Leitrim which is fair enough because thats where he's from but the constituency also includes Sligo! Perry did say that the people of Leitrim should vote for him though, so Perry must be sure he's going to get enough votes to have a safe seat anyway.

Not too sure about Eamon Scanlon, didnt hear enough of what he had to say. McSharry didnt seem to be given as much time to speak as the others but what he did say made since, I am begining to think that he is more than just a one issue candidtate. Does anyone know if he ever ran in the county council elections? I think he would definatley make a good counciler and he could take it from there.

il gatto

A vote for McGharry is a wasted vote. He'll never be elected for anything because even those in his immediate locality don't vote for him going by last elections tally.

Madge

Did anyone see Enda Kenny in Sligo today?
I think Pat Rabbite is coming to Sligo tomorrow.

BTW, what did everyone think of the debate last night? Did it influence your decision?

Gillie

Madge wrote:

BTW, what did everyone think of the debate last night? Did it influence your decision?

Not really. Not the Leaders Debate. I didn't think Ahern did the business there. Thought Kenny was better than him but he really has to stop mentioning "My Contract". We get it Enda!!:rolleyes:

The debate the night before was far more interesting!!
Rabitte was his usual self.
Sargent suprised me and came across very well.
McDowell - WTF!??:eek: He's a madman!
Adams looked lost! Couldn't back up most of his policies with facts!

brianthebard

Nah the leaders debates just solidified my opinions on the matter. But I didn't think Sargent did well at all Gillie, he wasn't able to deal with McDowell's questions, and would try and bluster through them telling us about Green achievements in Europe-I know they are affliated but I'm not voting for the candidates that are in power in the Czech republic.

Gillie

McDowell didn't ask any questions! He just ranted and raved as usual!
At least Harney can hold a conversation with someone!
Just my opinion!

JoeyJJ

McDowell didn't come out great from that debate Pat Rabbite came out the best however his drop in the latest polls don't indicate it. Bertie won on points against thunderbird man.

Was in Mayo over the weekend, interesting to see alot of people saying they are going to vote FG having never done so before if FG/LAB got in Mayo would have Taoiseach / Tainaiste and probably a minister. Lots of money heading to mayo by the looks of it.

Madge

brianthebard wrote:

Nah the leaders debates just solidified my opinions on the matter. But I didn't think Sargent did well at all Gillie, he wasn't able to deal with McDowell's questions,

I thought Sargent held his own. I thought Pat Rabbite was a bit subdued (apart from his menopausal Paris Hilton comment).

JoeyJJ wrote:

if FG/LAB got in Mayo would have Taoiseach / Tainaiste and probably a minister. Lots of money heading to mayo by the looks of it.

That would be good for the N. West in general. Everything is so Dublin centered.

magnumlady

I don't know about the voting but those posters are such a pain, I got hit by Sean McManus on Thursday, who was blowing all over the road!!

Gillie

magnumlady wrote:

I don't know about the voting but those posters are such a pain, I got hit by Sean McManus on Thursday, who was blowing all over the road!!

Sorry. Sounds funny when you read it first!

Posters are a pain in the arse! Sick of them. I don't think they make any difference to the public. It only serves to show you who's running. Surely there is another "greener" way?

brianthebard

Can people give me an idea of how the campaigns have been in Sligo so far? Who looks likely to get in, who's not got a hope, who's on the edge for the third seat? I won't be home til wednesday. Do labour have a chance?

magnumlady

Gillie wrote:

Sorry. Sounds funny when you read it first!

Posters are a pain in the arse! Sick of them. I don't think they make any difference to the public. It only serves to show you who's running. Surely there is another "greener" way?

I wonder if I can make a claim!!:D

Madge

Well, I just heard Devin's motor car going round the roads blaring "please vote for Devins" etc. I'm certainly not voting for him, not just because he hasn't knocked on my door but 'cause he doesn't seem to have done a blessed thing for Sligo since he became a TD. Some people I have talked to in the canteen at work feel the same. Although I don't know if that's the general consensus.
I would like McGarry to get a seat. He's in the papers every week commenting and debating on different things and seems to have a strong interest in getting Sligo ahead

tuppence

Its all getting abit sickly. Did anyone see Bertie in town today. He walked through the Tesco arcade pressing hands, kissing babies and the like. There was a pile of excitable sheep followers with banners, sneering and making snide remarks about " contracts", and gardai and TDs knocking down all the voters. Was like a scene from Father Ted. Pity there wasnt a few of Sean McManus' posters to knock a bit of sense into them..
Are people that fickle?:rolleyes:

Gillie

Madge wrote:

Well, I just heard Devin's motor car going round the roads blaring "please vote for Devins" etc. I'm certainly not voting for him, not just because he hasn't knocked on my door but 'cause he doesn't seem to have done a blessed thing for Sligo since he became a TD. Some people I have talked to in the canteen at work feel the same. Although I don't know if that's the general consensus.
I would like McGarry to get a seat. He's in the papers every week commenting and debating on different things and seems to have a strong interest in getting Sligo ahead

I would feel the same about Devins.

In relation to McGarry's strong interest the same could be said about McManus. Both would be the first to raise issues of contention in Sligo week in week out.

sligobhoy67

Gillie wrote:

I would feel the same about Devins.

In relation to McGarry's strong interest the same could be said about McManus. Both would be the first to raise issues of contention in Sligo week in week out.

McGArry is a strong worker but I think I have made up my mind today for sure I am going to give my number one to MacManus - not sure about 2 and 3 yet however.

JoeyJJ

Is Marian Harkin running in Sligo or is she concentrating on European elections now? I remember she did a great job in the Dail after a budget a few years ago.

Have my vote in Dublin this year.

Madge

tuppence wrote:

Its all getting abit sickly. Did anyone see Bertie in town today. He walked through the Tesco arcade pressing hands, kissing babies and the like. There was a pile of excitable sheep followers with banners, sneering and making snide remarks about " contracts", and gardai and TDs knocking down all the voters. Was like a scene from Father Ted. Pity there wasnt a few of Sean McManus' posters to knock a bit of sense into them..
Are people that fickle?:rolleyes:

No, but I seen pics in the paper. The whole election campaign and canvassing is pure BS anyway- politicicans going round sucking up to people and feigning interest in their lives. It'd be a laugh if a baby pucked on them. Or they got a pie in the face. Remember when some woman threw a pie in Michael Noonan's face in Sligo a few years ago

JoeyJJ wrote:

Is Marian Harkin running in Sligo or is she concentrating on European elections now? I remember she did a great job in the Dail after a budget a few years ago.

No she's not running. It's no loss anyway as I think she's useless!