Calleary says canvass abuse does not reflect campaign in Ballina

BALLINA TD Dara Calleary has said that the abuse he received while canvassing in a Ballina estate is not reflective of the reception he received on doorsteps during the campaign.

Video footage appeared on social media showing a man verbally abusing Calleary and his campaign team as they canvassed the Greenhills estate in Ballina. The man who was shouting the abuse followed Calleary while filming the encounter on a mobile phone, which was later posted on social media.

When asked about the incident following his election, Mr Calleary said that the incident did not reflect the reception they received in the estate or during the campaign.

“It wasn't [reflective] because what was happening was people were coming out dissociating themselves entirely from it and I got a pretty good vote in that area.

“Unfortunately that is part of the new environment which we operate in. I ignored it and got a fantastic welcome elsewhere which I always do. I got a fantastic welcome in that area and that is not reflective of the people of that area.

“This was an overwhelmingly positive campaign and people thought we were mad to be out in the snow and rainy nights. The overwhelming reaction was one of welcome, discussion and challenge. We have drank more tea and eaten more apple tarts during the canvass and people's hospitality has been extraordinary,” said the Fianna Fáil TD.

Misinformation

His fellow Ballina candidate, Mark Duffy of Fine Gael also said that the campaign in Ballina has been positive but added that there was a lot of misinformation being spread which undermines people's confidence in public representatives.

“We had a very positive campaign and there was not much anger on the doorstep but there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation which undermines the public confidence in representatives which can be damaging,” he said.

Cllr Duffy, who missed out on a Dáil seat, wished the five successful TDs well but hoped they would not engage in popularist agendas.

“That is the reality of the world now but we need dynamic and proactive representatives. You cannot be a single-topic candidate and we need representatives who are hands-on. It is important we have proactive parliamentarians in Co Mayo and not just focus on popularism and create distrust between community and civil society.

“I hope they can deliver for Mayo and be pragmatic and proactive and contribute positively to the democratic forum in Dáil Eireann. I hope they all use that route as opposed to popularism and agitation which serves nobody which means everyone in Mayo will lose out. I hope that is what we see from our deputies,” he said.