'That’s why we’re here, we’re in politics to help people' says Tipperary South General Election candidate
On the campaign trail Independent General Election candidate Mattie McGrath meets a constituent he has helped home just before Christmas
I had the chance to follow TD Mattie McGrath around the town of Dundrum the week before polling began. He had already been canvassing other areas all morning and when I arrived he was talking to a local in his tractor.
By chance a man in his car about to drive away spotted Mattie as we walked towards him. The man, Robert Mockett, thanked Mattie for finding himself, his partner and his young child a house.
He said that they were living in a shed in Donohill that was freezing and had a rat infestation. He went to McGrath for help as it was unsafe for a young baby under 18 months old to continue living there.
McGrath had helped find the family a home and Robert had not seen McGrath since he’d moved in. He couldn’t thank him enough and said a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and now he can focus on Christmas with his family and welcoming a new baby on the way. Mattie replied “That’s why we’re here, we’re in politics to help people.”