News

TWENTY-three-year-old Brian Markham, who this week declared his intention to stand as an Independent candidate for the General Election on February 25, cites the forced emigration of many of his peers as a motivation behind his ambition to represent Clare in Dáil Éireann.

SPENDING among individual candidates in Clare in the 2011 General Election campaign is expected to range from around €4,000 right up the statutory limit of €37,650.

CLARE TD Joe Carey has launched his campaign and said the election is all about the type of Ireland people want to see emerging.

NOT for the first time, JJ McCabe is throwing his hat into the electoral ring as an independent.

RETIRING Dublin South Central Labour TD Mary Upton returned to her childhood roots in West Clare recently. Sister of the late TD Pat Upton, she accompanied Clare Labour General Election candidate Michael McNamara on a canvass in the West of the county.

FORMER Shannon Town Commissioner Peter Flannigan is urging people to either abstain from the General Election or spoil their vote.

With the 2011 General Election date set for February 25, Dan Danaher looks back at the highs and lows of previous elections, which show Clare is far from predictable when it comes to the final tally

SHANNON may have escaped the initial disruption resulting from the Aer Lingus dispute but flights from the Clare airport are now being hit.