Kerry will again be the focal point of Election 2024 this Saturday when both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste will be on the campaign trail in the county.
Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, will be on the streets with candidate Billy O’Shea and they are scheduled to be in Listowel at 10.30am and Killorglin an hour later.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin will visit Killarney early in the morning and he will later move on to meet potential voters in Killorglin and Caherciveen with Cllr Michael Cahill before an afternoon trip to Tralee to join Minister Norma Foley on a canvass.
He will later move on to meet potential voters in Killorglin and Caherciveen before an afternoon trip to Tralee to join Minister Norma Foley on a canvass.
It is both party leader’s second visit to Kerry in the lead-up to the election which is hardly surprising given that many seasoned observers see it as a straight battle between the two main coalition parties to win the seat being vacated by Brendan Griffin.
Barring a dramatic 11th hour declaration – not unheard of in Kerry – there will be a total of 17 candidates battling it out for the five seats up for grabs in the constituency on November 29.
The deadline for nominations is 12 noon this Saturday and while it still can’t be ruled out, it is highly unlikely that anyone will attempt to emulate the sensational last gasp entry into the race which yielded rich dividends for Deputy Danny Healy-Rae in 2016.
With Brendan Griffin stepping away from national politics, four of the outgoing five TDs will have their names back on the ballot paper this time round.
Independent brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae will both be seeking a comfortable return to the corridors of power as will Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly and Education Minister Norma Foley.
Killorglin publican and auctioneer Billy O’Shea has been charged with the responsibility of retaining the seat vacated by Brendan Griffin while Killarney solicitor Linda Gordon Kelleher and veteran county councillor Michael Cahill will be hoping to join Minister Foley on the Fianna Fail benches in the Dáil.
Pa Daly’s running-mate will be Stephanie O’Shea from South Kerry, the Green Party candidate will be Kenmare woman Cleo Murphy – no stranger to national or local politics – while Labour’s flagbearer will be Mike Kennedy from Dingle.
Former Fianna Fail TD Thomas McEllistrim will be the Independent Ireland candidate, Michelle Keane, from Knocknagoshel, who polled close on 1,000 votes in last June’s local elections, will be an Independent candidate and another local elections hopeful five months ago, Catherina O’Sullivan from Killorglin, will represent Aontú.
Mary Fitzgibbon will be another Independent on the ballot paper, Brandon Begley will represent the Irish Freedom Party, Cian Prenderville will be the People Before Profit-Solidarity candidate and Cork businessman, John O’Leary will run as an independent.
ELECTION 24: We top the poll for extensive coverage. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
