Opposition urge Meath East voters to send message to Govt

Opposition parties have urged the voters of Meath East to send a message about the performance of the Government when they cast their votes in tomorrow's by-election.

The election will fill the seat vacated by the late former junior minister Shane McEntee.

His daughter Helen who will contest the seat for Fine Gael is the bookies' favourite to take the seat.

But the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin leaders have today called on voters to use their ballot

to send a clear message to the Government.

Gerry Adams said: "Well, this by-election gives the people of east Meath the opportunity to vote for change, to vote for an alternative that includes standing up against austerity."

Micheál Martin said: "There is no endorsement of the Government on the doorsteps of Meath East, of that you can be sure.

"Whether that is from Property Tax, the cuts to Child Benefit, or indeed the education cuts and the broken promises, people are angry out there."