Ballyhaunis Blog

These are the full details of the count in the election for the Mayo constituency 2007.
Local TD John Carty lost his seat - mainly because of John O Mahoney’s large vote in the area. Overall the FG gains nationally were not enough to bring about a change of government .

I will vote for two parties led by Mayo men tomorrow - not because they are from Mayo - but because together - Labour and Fine Gael can hopefully create a new government in Ireland that will help reverse some of the Fianna Fail policies that have helped the rich and not the ordinary people of Ireland. In my experience Fianna Fail elected members have a problem with telling the truth - some of them anyway - the leader included. Ten years is enough. Vote Labour and Fine Gael tomorrow .

Peter Enright - Green Party candidate in Mayo has not got his picture on any of the posters I have seen in and around Ballyhaunis or Claremorris. I wonder why?
Maybe John Bracken in Laois - Offaly should have done the same thing.

Yes - two budgies (LIVE) were found in a massive search of Portlaoise prison - here in Ireland - as well as numerous mobile phones, alcohol, Tvs drugs and syringes. You have to laugh - or else you’d cry…or vote for someone who might actually do something about criminals in Ireland.
Budgies !! How did no one hear them? How did they not see them? Of course it makes you wonder who is in control in the prisons. Remember that story a couple of years ago about Chinese takeaways been ordered in for prisoners in Castlerea? Is it threats or is it bribery that lets these prisoners do what they want?
But Budgies……?? It was the first time in ages I laughed out loud at the news.
Maybe it was the first time ever?

Click to enlarge
I suppose the election posters around Ballyhaunis are not too bad - but this candidate in Laois Offaly must be one of the least camera friendly I have seen. Some people thought it was Pat Shortt doing a joke poster. To top it all - he’s an auctioneer as well - an occupation that has gained a bad reputation recently.
Actually - his policies sound quite interesting and worth looking at if you are from that area. His ideas for the health system make sense - but as an lone independent he will have a hard time getting changes made.

Well - it was expected - but they still look a mess. Why do the candidates need so many posters? Is it not enough that they are taking out full page ads in the papers , turning up at every occassion where they might meet potential voters and generally trying to get on TV or radio all the time. Why do we need to have so many posters all over the streets. Most of them are just face shots - no policy statements as such - just VOTE FOR ME. I am tempted to vote for the party with the least (or no ) posters. So far I haven’t seen any for the Green Party - so they could be getting my vote. How much paper and money is wasted on these posters? Who pays - probably the taxpayers?
They should not be allowed to put them on any lampost or telephone pole - what kind of example is that to set. What would the streets look like if anyone could stick up posters where ever they wanted. (OK a few businesses do that already - but how can the TD’s who make the laws - complain when others follow their example?
They are hazards for drivers - distractions and an eyesore (especially with the ugly faces on most of them!)
If we voted on looks - well most of them wouldn’t have a chance.

The PD Candidate in Mayo is Councillor Tommy Cooke - who is currently a member of Ballina Town Council. He was first elected in the 2004 Local Elections. He is a publican by trade.

]Contact Details
Email: tccooke@eircom.net)
Address: 12 Belleek Lodge, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Phone (096) 70933

Current list of candidates in Mayo for the Election on 24th May 2007:

John Carty Fianna Fáil
Jerry Cowley Independent
Beverly Flynn Independent
Enda Kenny Fine Gael
Michael Ring Fine Gael
Harry Barrett Labour Party
Dara Calleary Fianna Fáil
Cllr Frank Chambers Fianna Fáil
Cllr Tommy Cooke Progressive Democrats
Peter Enright Green Party
Cllr Michelle Mulherin Fine Gael
Cllr Gerry Murray Sinn Féin
John O’Mahony Fine Gael

Gerry Murray is a native of Charlestown and is married with two children. He is a member of numerous community and campaigning groups in the north-west region and has worked closely with the Rossport Five in their campaign for justice. Gerry Murray can be contacted on 086 3629792

Peter Enright is a 21-year old is , second-year student of Outdoor Education at GMIT Castlebar. Peter has been a member of the Green Party for a number of years,

Peter Enright has, by his own admission, a strong track record in Green Party politics, having worked on Trevor Sargent’s campaign for Election 2002. The young Dubliner also has a family background in Green politics. His mother Brenda stood in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and was instrumental in the successful election of Brian Wilson, the first Green Party MLA.