Minister in plea to voters in bid to oust rival

ARTS, Sports and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue is giving away a section of his constituency in an attempt to oust Jackie Healy Rae from Kerry South.

A letter is being distributed today calling for a portion of the minister’s supporters to give their first preferences to his running mate Tom Fleming.

The letter, co-signed by Mr O’Donoghue and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, is being sent to people in the east of the constituency.

“I am writing to you to personally ask you that you give your number one vote in this area to councillor Tom Fleming on election day,” the Taoiseach wrote.

The tactic is designed to win back what Fianna Fáil feels is its natural seat.

The strategy involves cutting Kenmare, Kilgarven, Rathmore, Gneevgui-lla and Kilcummin from Mr O’Donoghue’s sights.

The word “only” is inserted after these areas in the letter and the rest of the constituency is still open territory.

In 2002, Mr Fleming out-polled Mr Healy Rae by almost 700 first preference votes but when transfers began momentum behind Mr Fleming died.

He was just 200 votes shy of Mr Healy Rae when the independent candidate was declared elected without reaching the quota.

Mr O’Donoghue’s team is determined not to let this happen again and the party is willing to sacrifice a portion of his vote to push Mr Fleming within sight of the line.

Fianna Fáil headquarters denied it was specifically targeting Mr Healy Rae.

“This is about trying to maximise the party’s vote in Kerry it is not about targeting anybody,” he said.