Candidate’s ire at FF invitation

A LOCAL election candidate in Waterford city has rejected an approach from Fianna Fáil to join the party’s ticket in a neighbouring electoral area, branding it as a “ham-fisted attempt at gerrymandering”.

Ward One candidate Oliver Dempsey, who has promised not to take a single cent in salary or expenses in the 2004-2009 period if elected to Waterford City Council, was approached by a sitting councillor.

Dempsey claimed the Fianna Fáil public representative invited him to drop his independent election bid, join Fianna Fáil and run in Ward Two, a move rejected immediately by the architect.