‘Better to have voice in Government than outside,’ says Tipperary candidate
'I know what the challenges are,' says Cllr Michael Murphy
The level of threats, harassment and violence against Irish politicians may have escalated in recent times but it’s not something that Michael Murphy, the Fine Gael General Election candidate in Tipperary South, has experienced in the last few months.
“People have been very courteous and very respectful, there has been no hostility,” says Cllr Murphy, who says he has been “knocking on doors” since his campaign began way back on August 7.
Not surprisingly, that level of courtesy was very much in evidence when he canvassed Shamrock Hill, one of Clonmel’s longest-established residential areas, which he visited in his attempt to garner support for his bid to regain a seat in Tipperary that the Fine Gael party hasn’t held in eight years.
One of his first calls was at the home of Mary and Jim Kennedy. Despite fearing that the caller might have been “someone from Revenue,” Jim struck a serious note when he said “we need somebody elected who is at the table making decisions”.
Up the road the Kennedys’ neighbour, Phil Kehoe, expressed a similar sentiment.
“I know what the challenges are. It’s better to have a voice in Government rather than outside Government in the context of solving those problems,” Cllr Murphy told them.
On the eve of a General Election, and with candidates seeking support for their campaigns to secure a seat in the 34th Dáil, there’s no better time to lobby for funding for infrastructural projects in the community. A teacher who passed with a group of schoolchildren enquired about the best avenues to explore to secure funding for an astro turf pitch at the school.
Another Shamrock Hill resident who didn’t wish to be named raised the issue of mental health services, which she said a friend of hers was entitled to but couldn’t access. The resident also mentioned concern over “the way the town is at the minute,” with a high level of vacancy and dereliction in Clonmel town centre.
“You will definitely get my number one,” Michael Walsh told Cllr Murphy, who he knows from their days as members of Hillview Sports Club.
He was also welcomed to the area by Enda Lynch and next door neighbours Paddy Keane and Adrian Logue.
“You are a great influencer around Clonmel; tell them all to vote for Michael Murphy,” he said to Maureen McNamara, a longtime resident of the area and someone whose involvement in life across the community included many years of service with Clonmel Chamber of Commerce.
“We will do our best for you,” Maureen told the election hopeful.
With that, it was time to bid farewell to Shamrock Hill and move onto pastures new for Cllr Murphy, his wife Jacinta and party workers on their tour of the constituency.