Murphy disappointed but not surprised

THE outgoing Social Democrat councillor June Murphy has admitted she was “very disappointed, but not surprised” at losing the seat she won on Cork County Council in 2014.

Ms Murphy, who split from the Sinn Fein party the following year and sat as an Independent before joining the Social Democrats last year, narrowly lost out on the final seat in the Fermoy area on the eighth count to Independent Frank Roche.

She said that her decision not to put up election posters during the campaign combined with the lack of support she received while canvassing were large factors behind her showing at the polls.

“I had a very small but dedicated team on the ground and between my Council work and their commitments we found it very difficult to get around to all the areas in the large constituency. In fact, we were unable to get to even half of the houses in the ward. In light of that, I was heartened with the amount of votes I received,” she said.

“But, if the support network had been there on the ground for me, my team would have been in a position to call to more homes and the lack of posters would not have been a problem. However, what’s done is done and there is little point in apportioning blame now.”

Ms Murphy said she felt the overall response from those she did meet on the campaign trail was lukewarm at best towards politicians in general.

“I think people are fed up with local politics but I believe that will be different the next time around in Fermoy. The new make up of the local area committee is very right wing and I do not think the people of the area will stand for that the next time.”

While she ruled herself out of running for the authority the next time around, Ms Murphy said she would continue her work as a community activist.

“I will continue to raise issues, do community and voluntary work and continue campaigning for the establishment of woman’s refuge in Cork for victims of domestic violence,” she said.

“Because I know the inner workings of the Council I will also be able to keep a close eye on issues of local importance. I may have been somewhat outspoken while on the authority but I am far more dangerous now that I am no longer on it,” she added.