Longford #LE24: Cassidy still in with fighting chance in Granard but disappointed with Drumlish/Ballinamuck support
“I hit the targets in other areas and actually exceeded them. However, I needed 50 more votes in Drumlish and 50 more votes in Ballinamuck in order to be in a better position,."
David Cassidy, Fianna Fail candidate in the Granard District, cut a disappointed figure when he spoke to the Leader in the TUS centre.
The Ballinamuck man believes that he is still in the running for the final seat. However, he felt that his own area didn’t provide the support that he required.
His part of the district was undoubtedly the most competitive. Sitting councillor Padraig Brady was in the same parish of Drumlish/Ballinamuck. Another sitting councillor, Gary Murtagh, lives just three miles from Cassidy.
In addition, fellow FF candidate Susan Murphy was just up the road in Dromard parish.
Cassidy was happy with how he fared in other parts of the district, other than his own patch.
“I hit the targets in other areas and actually exceeded them. However, I needed 50 more votes in Drumlish and 50 more votes in Ballinamuck in order to be in a better position,” he explained.
“Padraig McNamara (FG) has an advantage at present, but I am told that I am still in the hunt,” Cassidy added.
Cassidy is from a well known North Longford family (his late father was the singer Noel). But this ‘brand recognition’ does not appear to have helped his cause in Drumlish/Ballinamuck.
Cassidy conceded that, “it hasn’t been a good day for Fianna Fail in this district.”
However, he stated that whatever the outcome, running as a candidate has been “an enjoyable experience.”