Longford #LE24: Sinn Féin's John Rooney in the running - 'Edgeworthstown not getting the funding like Ballymahon has been getting'
First time candidate performing well and polled 562 first preferences
Sinn Fein candidate in the Ballymahon Municipal District, John Rooney, is happy with his performance and feels that he is still in the running for the last seat. He polled 562 first preferences, a creditable showing for a first time candidate.
The Edgeworthstown man is bidding to become the first councillor based in the town since Tom Victory of Fianna Fail a decade ago.
“There has been no representation in Edgeworthstown for 10 years. Edgeworthstown is not getting the funding that the likes of Ballymahon has been getting,” Rooney commented.
“Edgeworthstown is getting left behind,” he added.
Rooney is content that he has put in a good showing as a first time candidate.
“I am performing well. I am happy with my vote. I was running against six sitting candidates in the Ballymahon District. I am in the battle for the last seat,” he stated.
Rooney admits that he was a late starter in terms of his campaign.
“I didn’t get operating until late April. I only got out canvassing at evenings and weekends,” he explained.
“But I would run again,” he added.
While Rooney feels he stands a chance of taking the final seat in the district, nationally many of his party colleagues fell short.
“On the doors, I met people who were not happy with our leader (Mary Lou McDonald). Some people were happy with her. There were mixed reactions to her. Some people indicated that a change of leadership was required,” he stated.
Rooney conceded that his party is at a disadvantage in Co. Longford.
“We don’t have the base. The party membership in this district is not strong. However, Sinn Fein is growing,” he commented.
He also feels that Edgeworthstown is a tough place to be based in. “The Granard district runs very close to the town. People have said to me that I was running in a difficult area,” he stated.