A SWEET SURPRISE?
DUBLIN MID–WEST CANDIDATES:
Fine Gael – Cllr Emer Higgins; Fianna Fáil – Cllr Shane Moynihan; Sinn Féin – Cllr Mark Ward; Labour Party – Cllr Joanna Tuffy; Green Party – Cllr Peter Kavanagh; Social Democrats – Anne– Marie McNally; People Before Profit – Kellie Sweeney; Workers Party – David Gardiner; Independents/Others – Cllr Paul Gogarty, Cllr Francis Timmons, Ruth Nolan (Independents 4 Change), Charlie Keddy, Peter Madden.
MAIN ISSUES:
The Government is having a bad run of it here. Outside of Bus Connects, housing, and health, the constituency was heavily hit by the Dublin boil water notice.
Concerns about crime were exacerbated by a high profile shooting incident in the normally sedate Lucan area.
CONTROVERSIES:
The previously nondescript Fine Gael candidate Emer Higgins was caught in a rejoice, rejoice moment telling residents she was ‘delighted to announce’ proposed Traveller accommodation would not now proceed. Ms Higgins was somewhat fortunate that the even more colourful antics of Verona Murphy quickly buried her spat.
MOMENTS OF LEVITY:
In an otherwise quiet race, the possible return of local musician His Sweet Surprise, the artist formerly known as the Green TD Paul Gogarty, brightened everyone’s spirit. Our utterly dull political landscape could do with the return of the architect of that famous quote: ‘With all due respect, in the most unparliamentary language, f*** you Deputy Stagg! F*** You!’
LIKELY OUTCOME:
Much interest will focus on the respective performances of Labour, the Greens and Social Democrat consigliere Anne Marie McNally but this will be in terms of how they are shaping up for the real election in 2020 rather than this one. Fine Gael’s Emer Higgins is likely to top the poll, but an anyone-but-Leo vote means she is likely to be caught by whoever wins out between the Official Green Party and the Paul Gogarty Green Party. FF are likely to do better than expected and the transfers of the quietly impressive Shane Moynihan will be crucial. Mr Moynihan to put Mr Gogarty over the line – although Eamonn Ryan is unlikely to be waiting with a Green Party membership card.