LOCAL ELECTION FEVER SPREADING ACROSS COUNTY

Launches set the tone for the tone for campaigns

THERE was a strong show of support from the Fianna Fáil party as sitting councillor Barbara Anne Murphy launched her re-election bid at The River’s Edge in Bunclody. Cllr Murphy was blown away by the huge crowd that was in attendance on the night and some of the top brass from the party also arrived to wish her all the best.

Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil Dara Calleary made the trip south from Dublin to attend the launch before taking on the three hour drive back to his native Mayo. Despite clocking up the mileage, he was in great form and was delighted to endorse Cllr Murphy as she aims to secure one of the six Enniscorthy seats up for grabs on May 24.

‘ The evening went really, really well,’ said Cllr Murphy, now in full campaign mode. ‘Dara Calleary really went down a treat. He made time to speak to everyone and he has a really good feel for what’s going on on ground level, so it was great to have him here.’

Also present on the night to show support was Kerry Senator Mark Daly along with James Browne TD, European election hopeful Malcolm Byrne and fellow local election candidates Aidan Browne and Cllr Keith Doyle.

When she’s not working, Cllr Murphy is now busily canvassing in the area, hitting as many doorsteps as she can. While she is confident, she is far from complacent.

‘Well last time I was elected I failed to retain my seat, so you can’t take these things for granted,’ she said. ‘I’ll need every vote in the ballot box on May 24. The support has been really good so far though and people have been engaging, which is great.’

Cllr. Barbara Anne Murphy with members of her family and Dara Calleary, deputy leader, Fianna Fail, at the launch of her election campaign in the River’s Edge, Bunclody.