Opposition to council plans in Offaly pays dividends for Independent councillor

In his canvass of Pearse Park in Tullamore last Wednesday – the estate on the canal were the council's plans were to be put into force – Cllr O'Brien received the thumbs up from many residents who indicated their support was certain in Friday's local elections.

“We appreciate what you did for us that time,” stressed one householder while another voter said: “You can count on my vote anyone. . . I got my polling card the other day.”

Mark Lowbridge was also clear in his support: “You know you're getting you're number one off me, an Independent Labour man. We worked together long enough.”

Paddy Cutler also was clear about the destination of his number one: “You'll be getting the vote alright.”

Cllr O'Brien – accompanied by estate residents, Olivia O'Toole, a daughter of the late Independent councillor, Anne O'Toole and retired wedding photographer, Michael McGrath – has been canvassing for weeks in both urban and rural areas of the seven seater Tullamore Electoral Area.

Prior to his evening canvass of Pearse Park, he knocked on doors in the Tinnycross and Durrow and this week he plans to target potential voters in the Rahan and Mucklagh areas.

The Whitehall residents has also canvassed in Rahan, Killeigh, Clara and the Meelaghans.

Michael McGrath explained to the Tribune that the council's plan to take up the green area alongside the canal and cut the trees there from Clara bridge down to Molloy's bridge had led to huge opposition from Pearse Park residents who viewed it as a huge amenity.

Cllr O'Brien added that following the protest by residents and himself the council decided to leave the proposal out of plans for the canal and leave the green area and trees intact.

“It's an emotional issue for people and there was no consultation with the which infuriated people,” he added.

Olivia O'Toole, who was very active in the “save the trees” campaign, said the area was a great amenity for the people of Pearse Park and neighbouring O'Molloy St.

Michael McGrath added that “young people were passionate” in opposing the plan.

On Wednesday night's canvass the overall appearance of the estate and the town centre itself also came up on the doorsteps.

John Nolan said the paths in Pearse Park were “a disgrace” while his wife Yvonne spoke at length about he general appearance of the town centre.

“Patrick St is a disgrace. We're a long time in Pearse Park waiting for the paths to be done. . . the wall is 40 years waiting to be done. We'll probably be pushing up daisies by the time they're done.

Cllr O'Brien quickly responded that work on the footpaths had been included in the council's budget for this year and would be carried out soon in the estate.

Responding to Mrs Nolan's concerns that grass and weeds all over the town were not being cut by council staff, the Independent candidate revealed the council simply didn't have enough workers due to retirements and people moving to other areas of work.

“But we cannot just abandon communities and cannot let grass be overgrown,” said the councillor who is a very active volunteer worker with the Tidy Towns locally.

Another woman asked the candidate where he stood an abortion and when Cllr O'Brien replied he was pro-choice she simply said OK and did not engage any further.

In total there are 74 houses in Pearse Park and Cllr O'Brien and his team had almost the entire estate canvass when they were forced to retreat by rain.

But he said it was a positive evening and added he was confident of securing a high number of first preferences there in Friday's poll.