Roscrea's traditional 'Meet the Candidates' event attracts large crowd for lively debate

Pictured above at the debate in the Abbey Hall are RCDC and the 11 candidates - (back l to r) Peter Madden (Ind NA), Justin Phelan (Ind), Cllr. Jim Ryan (Ind), Cllr. Michael Smith (FF), Deputy Michael Lowry (Ind), Dan Harty (SF), Deputy Alan Kelly (Labour), Francis O'Toole (Aontú), Liam Minehan (Ind); (front) Cllr. Phyll Bugler (FG), Liam Shanahan (RCDC Treasurer), John Lupton (RCDC Chairman), Steve Crofton (RCDC Secretary) and Iva Pocock (GP). Photos: PJ Wright

Despite very inclement weather and several distractions including the first live televised leaders debate ahead of the general election, a large and engaging audience turned out for the traditional and very personal 'Meet the Candidates' public debate in Roscrea on Monday night.

11 brave and all very articulate and confident candidates took to the stage in the Abbey Hall for the debate which is organised ahead of all local and general elections for over two decades by Roscrea Community Development Council (RCDC).

Many who have attended the previous RCDC debates agreed that Monday night's was one of the most successful ever, where all the candidates gave a good account of themselves and engaged in lively and thought-provoking debate with the voting public.

Although the selection of debate topics included some very emotive and often incendiary issues, the candidates and public remained dignified throughout while also talking forthrightly about the difficult issues.

First to address the audience was Ballina/Killaloe based Fine Gael Councillor, Dr. Phyll Bugler, who has close family connections to Roscrea and is a cousin of retired Roscrea Councillor, Denis Ryan.

Cllr. Bugler said bringing industry and jobs to Roscrea would be her priority should she be elected, promising to better highlight the 26-acre fully serviced Benamore Business Park with the IDA and Shannon Development.
Outgoing Labour TD, Deputy Alan Kelly, has strong family links to Roscrea and said other town should folloow the lead of RCDC and host their own meet the candidates style debates.

The spectrum of issues he wishes to tackle most if re-elected include healthcare and partiularly the continuing crisis at UHL, the provision of affordable and social housing and restoring the manpower and resources of the Gardaí.

Deputy Kelly said the amalgamation of East Clare and Tipperary Garda Divisions has been a failure and is outraged that at times only six Gardaí are working in a vast area.

Bringing an anchor tenant to the Benamore Business Park would be one of his greatest ambitions for Roscrea, Deputy Kelly said, which would promote other smaller businesses to follow bringing jobs and prosperity.

Deputy Kelly said he was delighted the HSE “have seen sense” on the provision of a new community nursing home in Roscrea and that he would work to ensure the proposal of a new 50-bed unit on a greenfield site is followed through and a location identified.

Pictured above is RCDC Chairman John Lupton, who thanked the audience for the stirring debate and the candidates for travelling to Roscrea to participate. Photo: PJ Wright

Next to address the audience was Templemore native, Dan Harty from Sinn Fein. He is well known as hard worker and has for several years worked as an activist with his party in the area.

Sinn Fein played a crucial role in the ongoing investigation of the grounds at the former Sean Ross Mother and Baby Home located on the St Anne's estate and Mr Harty said he would continue to work with survivors. Returning the town's tourist product and restoring the hospitality sector with a functioning hotel would also be a priority for Mr Harty.

Fifth to address the crowd was seasoned poll-topper, outgoing Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry, who said he wants to continue to concentrate on Roscrea with his local Councillor, Shane Lee.

Ensuring the proposed new 50-bed Dean Maxwell nursing home is delivered, the REACH Digital Hub and recovering from the “unforgivable” actions of government when the Racket Hall Hotel closed in January would be some of his priorities if re-elected, Deputy Lowry said.

Roscrea based Independent candidate campaigning under the National Alliance, Peter Madden, told the audience he wants to encourage more young people to participate in local democracy.

Describing the flood of immigration as a “plantation of Ireland”, Mr Madden said that if he is elected immigration issues would be a top priority and promised to reverse carbon taxes on fuel to help businesses and households if elected.

Pictured above is Age Friendly Roscrea founder, Anne Keevey, who addressed the candidates on the provision of hospice care in Roscrea. Photo: PJ Wright

Best known for Fight the Pipe campaign, Puckane based farmer Liam Minehan told the audience he decided to join the the election last week.

Shooting to prominence from his 'Fight the Pipe' opposition to the Irish Water proposal to take water from the River Shannon to be pumped to serve the greater Dublin area, he said that he wishes to start a conversation about the reinvigoration of rural Ireland, and the necessity of rebuilding population bases so that the rural economy can flourish.

Aontú's Francis O'Toole said that mental health and providing support for families coping with the challenges of autism would be a priority if he is elected. 6,000 more Gardaí are needed nationally, Mr. O'Toole added.

Roscrea based Independent Justin Phelan was also a late announcement to the list of candidates and is making his debut into politics, but spoke eloquently about the challenges people are facing in his hometown and drew strong support from the audience.

The 35-year old lorry driver said people feel their opinions are not being listened to and that snubbing is fuelling a disengagement from local democracy. Mr Phelan took part in the 10 week protest outside the former Racket Hall Hotel in January and February and said he detects a desire for change “after 100 years of Fianna Fáil and Finé Gael”.

Pictured above are Roscrea's Sean Delaney and B O' Lone enjoying the lively debate in the Abbey Hall hosted by Roscrea Community Development Council. Photo: PJ Wright

First time candidate and experienced journalist from Cloughjordan, Iva Pocock from the Green Party said supports for autism, building the Local Link transport network and supporting the environment would be her priorities.

Drawing from life experience in Sri Lanka and Belgium, she wants to see more female representation in the Dáil and particularly Tipperary, which has only had four female Dáil Deputies.

Thurles based Independent Councillor with 25 years experience working for his constituents, Jim Ryan, told the audience he understands the challenges Roscrea faces and would open a full time constituency office in the town should he be elected.

Housing, bringing a bypass to Thurles, funding for mental health services and restoring the ambulance service would be some of his main issues. Cllr Ryan was one of the most outspoken local representatives on the ambulance service in Tipperary and he pointed out that crews from Roscrea and Nenagh are regularly sent to emergencies as far away as Waterford, Cork and Galway.

Pictured above is Roscrea man Alan Graham who spoke on the long delays his family experienced getting an Ambulance to Roscrea when his daughter had a seizure. Photo: PJ Wright

The last candidate to address the debate was Roscrea local election poll topper, Fianna Fáil's Michael Smith, who opened his office for clinics in Roscrea 20 years ago this year.

Drawing on previous successes such as the redesign of Market Square, Town First nomination for Roscrea and the Gantly Road upgrade, Cllr Smith said he hopes his years of delivery for Roscrea will encourage people to give him their first preference.
Cllr Smith said he wants to build on track record of housing in Roscrea, where currently 137 houses are in construction or nearing completion.

He has worked with every sports organisation and club in Roscrea and if granted the power of a Dáil Deputy, he feels he can deliver much more for Roscrea.

More Gardaí, preserving the Garda College in Templemore and delivering on the proposal of the community hotel in the former Damer Court Hotel would be some of his main priorities if elected he said and urged people to keep their vote in Roscrea.

MC and RCDC Chairman, John Lupton, thanked the audience and candidates for the excellent debate and thanked RCDC Treasurer Liam Shanahan for time keeping and Secretary, Steve Crofton for ensuring the audience could participate fully.