Posters in vanishing act

ELECTION candidate Dr John Hillery has called for an end to the “poisonous politics and cronyism”, which he said is damaging the Clare electorate’s faith in the political system.

Dr Hillery criticised the removal of 450 of his election posters in West Clare at the weekend and attempts to undermine his candidacy as being symbolic of the type of politics he is bidding to banish from the Irish political process.
“One of my primary reasons for contesting this election is to help restore the public’s faith in a political system that has lost its social conscience.  The 30th Dáil will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and this election gives every candidate and party the opportunity to engage in an honest and open debate on the issues affecting the citizens of Ireland,” he said. 
The Fianna Fáil candidate also hit out against comments made about him being a “parachute” candidate.
“Why should anybody whose education or work took them out of Clare be denied the opportunity to return to their native county and help make County Clare a better place for everyone who lives here? I do not want my children to grow up in a society that turns a blind eye to poisonous politics,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ennistymon gardaí are investigating the theft of 450 of Dr Hillery’s election posters in West Clare.
Labour candidate Michael McNamara also believes he could have lost a few hundred of his posters before adding it was difficult to give a precise figure.
“What can you do. I am certainly not going to waste garda time on the petty tricks of those afraid of a new face,” he said.
Deputy Timmy Dooley estimated that “close on 700” of his election posters had been ripped down from various points throughout the county, but particularly West Clare.
Deputy Dooley said he had resurrected about 150 posters from the last election.
“It is soul-destroying for my friends and relations who spent a lot of time on a voluntary basis putting up the posters in the first place. North Clare wasn’t too bad, West Clare was practically wiped out but the ones on the fly-over on the dual carriageway escaped.
“I would be surprised if anyone involved with other candidates’ campaigns would engage in this type of activity because they know how difficult it is to put up a large number of posters. It seems to be done on a systematic basis by people who have a particular agenda,” he said.
Superintendent Peter Duff confirmed that gardaí are investigating the theft of Deputy Dooley’s election posters and noted that gardaí are monitoring various parts of the county for suspicious activity.