WEXFORD VOTES THIS WEEK

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS THIS FRIDAY – ALONG WITH REFERENDUM ON BLASPHEMY

WHILE it’s not too long ago that the Irish public filed into polling stations to place their tick in a box on a referendum issue, it almost feels like a lifetime ago that we last voted for who should take the hot seat at Áras an Uachtaráin as President.

Initially, there didn’t seem to be too many takers to go up against the current head of state Michael D Higgins, who has been unanimously praised for how he has carried himself during his term. However, among the issues facing President Higgins this time around are the fact that initially he had said he’d only stay for one term, a perceived lack of clarity surrounding the cost of the presidency and finally his age at 77, meaning he would be 84 by the time his second term ends if elected. No stranger to Wexford, the President has visited on a number of occasions attending such events as the Opera Festival and the recent John Redmond commemorations and he seems to have built a loyal following here as a result.

Somewhat bizarrely, this race sees three candidates who are familiar faces from the RTÉ Show Dragon’s Den - Sean Gallagher, Gavin Duffy and Peter Casey. Of the three, Gallagher would have to be said to be the front runner and is the bookies’ pick as Michael D’s strongest opposition. Back in 2011, the businessman seemed to be leading the race for the Áras, up until the issue of collecting money for a Fianna Fáil fundraiser was raised at a TV debate and derailed his campaign, handing victory to Higgins. This time around, Gallagher seems slightly more polished and has performed well in various debates thus far, however, it appears it will take something major to stop history repeating itself with him finishing in second place behind the incumbent President. It is worth noting that Wexford County Council endorsed the Monaghan man, ensuring his name was on the ballot paper once again.

Gavin Duffy also came from the RTÉ show and among the interrogations he has faced have been his personal politics (the fact that he once chaired a debate between Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney for some indicating that his shirt may be tinted blue) and his former role as Chairman of the Hunting Association of Ireland, something which has garnered criticism from animal rights activists.

The final Dragon in the running is businessman Peter Casey, who originally hails from Derry. Having spent a large portion of his life in the US, he has been campaigning for the voting rights of Irish emigrants, however, some have criticised him saying that having only spent a third of his life in Ireland, he perhaps isn’t best

suited as a representative of the Irish people. In his campaign, Casey has also garnered huge criticism for controversial comments made about travellers.

Liadh Ní Ríada is the only candidate seeking the presidency this time out on behalf of a party. Although Michael D previously ran as a Labour candidate, he is now independent and has the backing of several of the major parties. While he allied himself to Fianna Fáil in the past, Gallagher also claims to be completely independent, as does Duffy, who refutes connections with Fine Gael.

Again Ní Ríada is no stranger to Wexford and has visited on a number of occasions, particularly to support party colleague Cllr Johnny Mythen in Enniscorthy. An MEP since 2014, she does have a strong political background, however, she has been criticised for her refusal to condemn actions taken by the IRA over the years, and has also been accused of having Sinn Féin’s logos figure very sparsely in her election literature. She refutes this saying she is proud of her Sinn Féin background and would be a President for ‘all the people’.

Finally psychologist Joan Freeman has been a senator since 2016. As the founder of Pieta House and the Darkness Into Light, she has a high profile, however, among the issues she has faced over the course of her campaign is whether she can be representative of a modern Ireland having admitted to voting ‘no’ in the recent referendum on repealing the 8th amendment.

While all of the candidates are firm in the belief that they are best for the job, ousting the incumbent President will be a major task with the bookies making him the runaway favourite. In fact, the first Red Sea Poll on the election had Michael D at 70% – meaning he had more of the vote than all other candidates combined.

THE SIX CANDIDATES ON FRIDAY’S BALLOT, PICTURED FROM LEFT: PETER CASEY, JOAN FREEMAN, SEÁN GALLAGHER, GAVIN DUFFY, LIADH NÍ RIADA AND MICHAEL D HIGGINS