Martin gets rapturous welcome at convention

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheal Martin got a rapturous welcome in Sligo last night when he arrived for the Sligo-North Leitrim constituency convention where two candidates — sitting TD Eamon Scanlon and Senator Marc MacSharry — were ratified to contest the election.

The organisers appeared to be taken aback by the large attendance — an estimated 500 people turned out for a convention where 300 delegates were eligible to vote.

The mood was upbeat as the new leader accused the opposition parties of assuming their right to power and as he promised to meet them “head on” in the election campaign.

“They do not want an election, they want a coronation and I am determined not let them away with it,” he vowed to sustained applause.

Referring to the ongoing controversy about the leaders’ debates Mr Martin said: “I am amazed and somewhat surprised at the failure and reluctance of Enda Kenny to step up to the plate.”

In a rallying cry to Fianna Fáil supporters, he urged them to convince people on the doorstep that “we are worthy of their trust” and to “confound” the political pundits.

Mr Martin accused the main opposition parties of glossing over their differences but he said the public was entitled to debates.

The two candidates were ratified within minutes even before the new leader arrived despite speculation that party headquarters might restrict the convention to just one candidate in this three-seater constituency.

Speakers, including Tánaiste Mary Coughlan who chaired the convention, MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher and outgoing TD Jimmy Devins, were cheered loudly when they stressed that the party would fight back despite gloomy forecasts.

Speaking afterwards about Bertie Ahern’s legacy, Mr Martin said: “People never told him what was really going on in the banks. In fairness he deserves some credit for Croke Park.”