Martin badly needs by-election win to prove FF still alive

MICHEAL Martin has given his all canvassing in this by-election. He would hail a win tomorrow as a signal that Fianna Fail is once more on the way back.

Fianna Fail's Roscommon-South Leitrim candidate, Councillor Ivan Connaughton (pictured below), from Athleague, is just 30 years old and presented as the new face of the party.

He is the bookies' favourite to win out over the nine other contenders to replace newly elected Euro MEP, Luke "Ming" Flanagan, and he has been on the canvass trail trying to convince the constituency's 70,000 voters every single day since his nomination in late July.

The received, wisdom is that Connaughton's closest rivals are Sinn Fein's Martin Kenny from Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, and Independent anti-turf ban campaigner, Michael Fitzmaurice, from Williamstown, just over the border in Co Galway.

But the vote hauls of the government party candidates, Maura Hopkins of Fine Gael and John Kelly of Labour, will be carefully watched as an indicator of government popularity.

So will the destination of transfers from hospital campaigner, Independent John McDermott.

The big issues are water charges set against poor water quality in some areas; the turf-cutting ban; the status of Roscommon Hospital; the imminent closure of the MBNA call centre in Carrick-on-Shannon with the loss of 160 jobs; employment, generally; and emigration. Connaughton is taking nothing for granted, in a grinding campaign which stressed a poor government record in job creation and general lack of attention to this largely rural community's needs.

"No, I have made no promise about Roscommon Hospital and no other specific promises. I have promised much better representation for this area at all levels in Dublin," he told the Irish Independent.

'Ming's man', Independent Michael Fitzmaurice, also argues that his base in Co Galway is not an impediment as he has represented the cause of people across the west of Ireland.

He also dismisses arguments he is a 'one-trick pony' devoted only to opposing the turf-cutting ban.

"I have a long record of involvement in community organisations and campaigns. I have been involved with the GAA, local schools, and many fundraising projects," Fitzmaurice says.

Martin Kenny, of Sinn Fein, argues voters will turn to his party because they are weary of unfulfilled promises from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. He argues the voters' response to his party has overcome his geographic location at the far north of the constituency, in Co Leitrim.

Councillor Maura Hopkins, of Fine Gael, has cut a dash as the only woman among 10 candidates and her director of elections, Sports Minister Michael Ring, believes she will fare much better than early gloomy predictions. She has impressed party workers and is rated a good future prospect. "Great candidate - just sporting the wrong colours at this time," one local Fine Gael veteran told the Irish Independent.

Labour candidate, Senator John Kelly from Ballaghaderreen, has a similar story, with the added drawback that his party is not traditionally strong here.

He has run a big campaign, with remarkable full-length posters, addressing constituents' concerns about medical cards, over-ground power cables and wind turbines.

Independent hospital campaigner, John McDermott, got almost 4,000 votes in 2011 when Roscommon Hospital's status had been guaranteed and his performance will be watched with keen interest.

The other independents are Emmet Corcoran, the youngest at 22; former Roscommon Mayor Tom Crosby, who stresses his experience; Leitrim councillor and former teacher Des Guckian; and publican Gerry O'Boyle, who is linked with Land League West.

Irish Independent