Confusion for all in Kilmuckridge over new electoral district boundary settings
IT appears that the introduction of the local election boundaries in county Wexford are causing confusion for voters and local election candidates.
The new Kilmuckridge district includes the areas Oylegate, Glenbrien, Ballymurn, Monageer, Boolavogue, Oulart, the Ballagh, Blackwater, Kilmuckridge, Monamolin, Ballyedmond, Ballygarrett, Killenagh, Ballycanew, some of which areas were previously in the boundary of either Enniscorthy or Gorey.
First time local election Candidate Peter Mernagh, representing Renua Ireland, is the running for the newly formed Kilmuckridge district.
Last week he was canvassing in Cooladine, Kilcotty and other areas of Glenbrien, Monageer, Oylegate and the Ballagh, and heard about the confusion from residents there.
‘A common theme emerged that many people were simply not aware of the new boundary changes and the existence of the new Kilmuckridge district,’ he said.
‘Many people who would have previously voted in the Enniscorthy district expressed their dissatisfaction at being moved from having representation in Enniscorthy,’ Peter added.
Cllr Pip Breen, a Fianna Fáil councillor who is currently serving his term in Gorey Municipal District, is also running in the new Kilmuckridge district.
He explained that he has his own concerns over the new boundary settings also.
‘Although I’m very familiar with the areas, we’re now covering a lot of ground and it’s difficult,’ he said.
‘As regards the boundary settings, it’s like whoever set this was someone who did so in the middle of the night, as if they were a child under pressure with their homework due in the morning,’ said Cllr Breen.