Gavin Duffy to open two offices for Fleadh week
DROGHEDA man, Gavin Duffy, who is seeking a nomination to contest October’s Presidential Election, is opening, not one but two campaign offices in his home town for the duration of the Fleadh Cheoil.
‘It is a great opportunity for me to meet and greet as many as possible of the over 400,000 visitors coming to our historic town,’ Gavin told the Drogheda Independent. ‘I grew up ‘over the shop’ on West Street, above the Weavers Pub, so I am absolutely delighted that one of the offices is directly opposite my old home on the corner of West St and Dominick St,’ Gavin continued, ‘From this office I will be able to show Fleadh visitors the top left window of Number 83 and say that was my bedroom when I was a child.’
The other office will be a high-profile building at Drogheda’s Bull Ring. Both will serve teas and coffees free to visitors.
The rush is on to get the offices open this weekend with the dynamic duo of Eamon Duffy, Gavin’s brother, and Paul Egan leading the charge.
Former publican, Paul commented, ‘I have never seen such a buzz around Drogheda, what, with the Fleadh and now Gavin’s Presidential bid, the whole town is on fire. Since I joined the ‘Gavin for President Campaign’ my phone hasn’t stopped ringing with people asking what can we do?” He concluded, “We didn’t look for these premises, people were offering them, they want to be part of this, to make history. Imagine the first, ever, truly, Independent, non-party President elected by the people, and he is from our town.’
He is talking to all Louth’s County Councillors seeking their vital support for a nomination to get him on the presidential ballot paper. He needs Louth and three other councils to nominate him if he is to contest the Presidency. ‘I have written to the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Liam Reilly, asking him to convene a meeting to hear from those seeking a nomination once the Presidential Election Order is moved. On Friday I wrote to all the Louth councillors and I want to meet with them to canvass their support,’ he explained.
On Tuesday last, Gavin Duffy spoke to Waterford City and County Council along with two other Presidential hopefuls, Senator Joan Freeman and Patrick Feeney.
He says he was afforded a ‘very positive reaction’ but will be ‘ taking nothing for granted.’
Meanwhile, Meath County Council’s Cathaoirleach, Tom Kelly has convened a meeting on August 27th to hear from those seeking a nomination.
With 10 FF and nine independents on the council, it appears he’ll have an easier route to the nomination than in Louth where he’ll need the backing of Independents, the Greens and FF. However, it’s believed that some FG councillors will also consider backing him, given his profile in the region.