Gallagher tops Michael D as farmers’ number one choice

SEAN GALLAGHER is the man that Irish farmers want to see in the Áras — with nearly a third of those questioned in a farmers’ poll planning to give him their number one.

Mon, 10 Oct, 2011 - 01:00

Claire O'Sullivan

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) research shows that if the presidential campaign was to take place tomorrow, 30% of farmers would go for the independent candidate Gallagher.

The national frontrunner, Labour’s Michael D Higgins doesn’t appear to be getting the farming vote as he’s at just 16.36%. It’s Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell who is in second place at 22.72%. Michael D is third in this poll.

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness is in fourth position in the ICSA poll at 12.72%, while David Norris trails behind him at 9.09% and then Mary Davis at 5.45%. Dana is on just 3.63%.

According to the ICSA, Michael D Higgins will be the most heavily-transferred candidate among Irish farmers. The poll has him picking up 20% of second preferences, while Mary Davis was picking up 26% of third preferences.

According to the ICSA, the poll shows how Sean Gallagher has “picked up on the fact that farming is back in vogue and has campaigned heavily on the future for farming”.

Mr Gallagher completed a Green Cert at Ballyhaise Agricultural College in his native Cavan, aged 18. Three years later, he bought a 20-acre farm but give up on life as a farmer after he damaged his back in a car accident.

Up to 600 farmers were polled as part of the ICSA poll. In total, 10,000 farmers are members of the organisation.

The poll took place on Thursday and Friday of the week before last as well as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

Last week, an IpsosMRBI poll for the Irish Times showed Michael D Higgins on 23%, Seán Gallagher on 20%, Martin McGuinness on 19%, Mary Davis on 12%, David Norris on 11%, Gay Mitchell on 9%, and Dana on 6%.

The Red C poll for Paddy Power bookmakers, published less than 24 hours later, showed Mr Higgins on 25%, Mr Gallagher on 21%, Mr McGuinness on 16%, Mr Norris on 14%, Mr Mitchell on 10%, Ms Davis on 9% and Dana on 5%.