Presidential hopefuls canvass voters throughout Tipperary in election bid

The campaigns of the two candidates in the presidential election arrived in Tipperary  over the last week.
Last Friday Catherine Connolly visited Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Cashel and Tipperary Town and the day after Heather Humphreys visited Cashel and the GAA grounds in Upperchurch Drombane.

Catherine Connolly received a warm reception at the Elm Park Community Development and Family Resource Centre in Clonmel on Friday morning.

She also visited Clonmel Town Hall and met people in O’Connell Street and Gladstone Street.
She was accompanied by Deputy Seamus Healy and former TD Martin Browne during her visit.

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She said the towns she was visiting were coping with dereliction and vacancies, and as a TD she had often highlighted the issues involved.

“This is a policy matter for the Government. Unfortunately, the action should have been taken a lot sooner. The figures for vacant houses and business premises are extraordinary,” said the Presidential hopeful.

If elected, Catherine Connolly said she would proudly and with courage reflect the values the people of Ireland hold dear, such as solidarity, care, and compassion.

Deputy Healy said he was honoured to nominate her to run for the office and described her as an intelligent, compassionate person who can lead the country with hope and confidence into the future.

“In times of deep division nationally and internationally Catherine is a voice for peace and unity. She believes in the strength of Irish neutrality. Not as absence, but as action - an active, living tradition of peace-making, bridge-building, and compassionate diplomacy. I am confident that she will defend our neutrality with clarity and conviction. I believe she will be a unifying presence, a moral compass in a world increasingly driven by profit and spectacle, a voice for equality and justice,” said Deputy Healy.

Heather Humphreys met business people and shoppers as she walked about Cashel, telling them about her vision for the Presidency.

She then visited Upperchurch Drombane GAA where she was pitch side for the Under 15s hurling semi-final between Burgess and Lattin-Cullen.

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Heather said: “It was great to be in Tipperary and wonderful to meet the dedicated volunteers at Upperchurch Drombane GAA Club. Volunteers are the glue that holds communities together, and if elected President I will recognise and highlight the great work they do. I want to celebrate the unsung heroes all over the country.

CENTRE GROUND
“I am putting myself before the people on the basis that I am a centre ground, common sense, pro-European candidate.
“The Presidency is above party politics and I am asking voters to place their trust in me so that I can bring my experience to the role of President.

“I won’t let our country down and I will represent Ireland with pride diplomatically and culturally at home and on the world stage.” Deputy Michael Murphy said it was a real pleasure to welcome Heather Humphreys to south Tipperary as she continues her campaign.

“Heather is an outstanding candidate — experienced, compassionate and deeply committed to community. Her visit to Cashel and Upperchurch-Drombane GAA reflected her genuine connection with people and her understanding of rural Ireland.
“I have no doubt that Heather would serve with distinction as President of Ireland,” said Deputy Murphy.