North, South and West
BY MICHEAL MacDONNCHA
Sinn Féin Vice-President Pat Doherty is in the unique position of
having gone directly from fighting a Westminster election (and
almost winning a seat in West Tyrone) to fighting a Leinster
House election. It's hard work proving you're an all-Ireland
party.
In the Westminster election Pat Doherty garnered 14,280 votes in
West Tyrone. Last year in the Donegal North East by-election he
trebled the Sinn Féin vote and the party is aiming to do better
again this time out. Pat headed the Sinn Féin delegation at the
Forum in Dublin Castle and he is one of the party's main
negotiators, being centrally involved in dialogue with the Dublin
government.
For the past few weeks however Pat has been negotiating the
hundreds of miles of mountainy roads in his sprawling
constituency. This is the real North of Ireland, including the
most northerly point, Malin Head on the Inishowen peninsula.
``We're getting a huge response on the doorsteps'' says Pat.
From Malin Head south to Ben Bulben in Sligo where Alderman Seán
MacManus is the Sligo-Leitrim candidate. A strong vote is
expected in Sligo town where Seán is getting a very good response
and throughout the constituency a significant rise in the Sinn
Féin vote is on the cards.
In Galway West the new climate of goodwill towards Sinn Féin is
also being reflected. In Galway City candidate Mike Egan is
getting a warm reception. A rejuvenated and reorganised Sinn Féin
here is attracting younger voters and building for local
elections.
A revival of Sinn Féin in the traditionally republican North
Kerry constituency has also taken place and was boosted with the
release from Portlaoise Prison in 1994 of Martin Ferris. Highly
respected in the community he has galvanised the organisation and
as candidate is leading the best campaign in the area since 1981.
In this constituency of Dick Spring the Labour leader and other
parties are looking with concern at the growth of Sinn Féin.
Sinn Féin General Secretary Lucilita Bhreatnach visited Cork on
Wednesday to campaign with Don O'Leary (Cork North Central) and
Kieran McCarthy (Cork East). In the urban constituency of Cork
North Central inequality in education is a big issue, with Don
O'Leary supporting the campaign for extension of EU grants to
deprived Northside schools. He has also been active in the
community campaign on the issue of joy-riding which has recently
claimed young lives in the area. Cobh Councillor Kieran McCarthy
expects a strong vote in that town and will also be harnessing
support in areas like Youghal where Martin Hallinan is a Sinn
Féin councillor.
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