‘This is an election, not a coronation’

AS the new leader of Fianna Fáil returned to his home city last night he accused Fine Gael and Labour of “not wanting an election but a coronation”.

Micheál Martin accused the two parties of “assuming a right to power” because of the economic crisis.

“Fine Gael and Labour don’t want an election, they want a coronation, and I am determined they won’t get away with this affront to the Irish people,” he said.

Mr Martin added “he had no problem accepting or learning lessons from the past, but that the Opposition are fatally flawed if they think this election campaign will simply be about replacing one crowd with another”.

The Fianna Fáil Cork South West Selection convention was postponed so this election rally could take place in Cork city last night. Mr Martin entered the auditorium to the strains of the Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling.

However the atmosphere in the room while warm, was far from celebratory. He described the upcoming election as “one of the most important in our history” and said Fianna Fáil would be looking after the man on the street.

“Fianna Fáil looked after the ordinary people and were always about the advancement of ordinary people and will continue to be.”

Mr Martin described the economic and political situation as a “moment of truth for our party and for our nation”. He said Fine Fáil was born from people who understood the need for radical change in this country and that he intended to continue to further build up on this core aim.

All of the Fianna Fáil election candidates across Cork city and county attended last night’s gathering as did city and county councillors, former junior minister Dan Wallace and MEP Brian Crowley.

Mr Martin was introduced to the crowd by Cork City councillor and close friend Terry Shannon who likened last night’s return to Cork city to that of Jack Lynch 45 years previous.

He described Mr Martin as a man of “honesty, decency, courage, energy, intellect and empathy who had a unique understanding of the Fine Fáil organisation” which will stand him in good stead for the rebuilding the party.