‘Every vote will count in Kerry’

WHEN a Fianna Fáil councillor of almost 20 years’ experience admits that the campaign is the “most difficult ever” for the party, the pressure is clearly on FF to remain the controlling party on Kerry County Council.

Michael Cahill, who has represented the Killorglin area on the council since he succeeded his late father, Tommy, in 1990, believes he’ll be in a dog fight for a seat when the last votes are being counted.

“The campaign is the most difficult ever. There are also more issues than ever before and lots of people are very unhappy,” said the Rossbeigh businessman while taking a break from canvassing.

“Our backs are to the wall. Every vote will count. It’s going to be awfully close,” Mr Cahill said.

The usual issues such as problems with planning, unemployment and roads are overshadowed this time by animosity towards the Government and FF candidates are suffering a backlash arising from unpopular policies.

The Killorglin area, which takes in the Ring of Kerry, is a five-seater represented by Paul O’Donoghue and Mr Cahill, FF; Johnny (Porridge) O’Connor and Patrick Connor-Scarteen, FG, and Michael Healy-Rae, Independent.

Mr Healy-Rae headed the poll in 2004 with almost 2,000 votes or 15% of the first preference vote.

It was an impressive performance by the heir apparent to the Kilgarvan dynasty. Going by his work rate and heightened celebrity profile in the meantime he should be re-elected.

Regardless of any negative reaction from voters, arising from Healy-Rae support for Fianna Fáil, Mr Healy-Rae will be depending on his service to the area to see him back in Aras an Chonntae.

The fact that part of his native Kilgarvan is now included in the Killorglin area, following the redrawing of the boundaries, should also help Mr Healy-Rae.

In the present anti-government climate, Fine Gael will hold two seats and a change in personnel should not be ruled out.

Caherciveen-based PJ Donovan, who narrowly lost his FG seat five years ago, is back in the field.

He is expected to do very well and could edge out one in a tight situation.

Mr Connor-Scarteen, a third generation councillor from Kenmare who was recently co-opted to his father’s seat on the council, is contesting his first election and is also reported to be campaigning well.

Last time, Johnny (Porridge) O’Connor polled the second highest number of first preferences, but he could have a tougher task this time and has, for example, Labour candidate John Sheahan to contend with in his native Killorglin town.

Yet again, the most tantalising question is: how will FF fare? Paul O’Donoghue, brother of Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue and FF whip on the county council, is spreading his wings from his home town of Caherciveen and campaigning around Killorglin where he runs a large legal practice.

Mr O’Donoghue is also focusing on a new area to the east which was the base of outgoing FF councillor for the Killarney area, Colin Miller. He is not seeking re-election.

Mr Miller has worked as constituency secretary to John O’Donoghue.

Fine Gael once held three seats in the Killorglin area when it was a six-seater and it would be a remarkable outcome, though not entirely surprising, if FG now took three seats out of five.

One of the FF councillors could struggle and some FF insiders see a worst case scenario of Mr O’Donoghue and Mr Cahill fighting it out for the last two seats with a FG candidate.

Prediction: FG 3, FF 1, Independent 1.