Laois General Election polling day busier than usual in Mountmellick
Voter opinions range from Fleming loyalty to 'kind gangster' Gerry Hutch
A visit to the Mountmellick polling station in Laois for the 2024 General Election this Friday lunchtime, found views far and wide.
The Leinster Express / Laois Live met some local people outside the centre, based at St Joseph's and Scoil Phadraig's parish school campus.
Former Fianna Fáil Mountmellick town councillor Denis O'Meara and his wife Marian gave their views.
"I think myself it will be Fleming and Aird, the two boys. On Stanley I can't see much of a change. The rest will be only jockeying for positions. I was out canvassing with Sean Fleming, and highest on everyone's agenda is the cost of living. We met elderly that were either eating or lighting the fire," Denis said.
"No-one came near us in Wolfetone Court but Fleming's team, only leaflets through the door. I like Fleming and after that I wouldn't know a lot about any of them," Marian said.
Trisha Dunne, a Dublin native living in Mountmellick said she feels "left out".
"Every parent has to be the child's voice. I feel there is discrimination against us. My son is 16, he should be in school doing his junior cert but he was told the school is full. The inspector is not obliged to help because he is 16. I have to vote, I make sure all mine voted too. If I was still in Dublin I'd vote for Gerry Hutch. He was a kind gangster. He never hurt anyone or flooded the place with drugs. He benefited the people," she said.
Voter Catherine Murray has a child with special needs and said "you're begging everyone and they are doing nothing".
"My child was in mainstream and a unit in a combined school but I had to put him into St Francis School because there is no space in the ASD unit in Mountmellick. Autism is getting so common, we need more schools and units," she said.
Another voter is hopeful that if Fine Gael's Willie Aird is elected, the party will co-opt local man Paddy Buggy in his seat in Portlaoise Municipal District.
Mr Buggy ran unsuccessfully in last June's Local Elections for Fine Gael.
"We need two Paddies for Mountmellick. The town council should never have been abolished. At least if you voice your opinion something could be done," they said.
Another voter believes voting for independents is a mistake.
"I think vote for the bigger parties. They are the only ones that can form a government. I'd be afraid Sinn Féin would get in by default, teaming up with anyone they can get. My children are 18 and 20 and they registered to vote for the first time, maybe young people seem to be interested this time," they said.
The area supervisor in the Mountmellick polling district is Stephen Quirke.
"We are seeing a steady turnout so far. Turnout is at about 18%. That is probably a bit busier than the European and Local Election last June, but in line with the last general election," he said.
Polling stations remain open until 10pm.
"It will pick up and get busier between 6pm and 9pm. Once you're in even at a minute to 10 you can vote," he said.
The Leinster Express / Laois Live will be reporting live from the count centre in Portlaoise from Saturday morning and throughout the weekend, as votes get counted to elect three TDs for the county.