FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin got a rapturous welcome in Sligo last night where he issued a rallying cry to party supporters telling them not to allow Opposition parties away with assuming their right to power.
Mr Martin’s visit to the Sligo-north Leitrim convention at the start of the party’s toughest election campaign for a generation buoyed up local supporters who turned out in force.
With just 300 delegates entitled to vote, an estimated 500 party members packed the venue where sitting TD Eamon Scanlon and Senator Marc MacSharry were ratified to contest the election.
There had been speculation that party headquarters might allow just one candidate in this three-seater where Fine Gael are widely tipped to pick up two seats.
Party heavyweights who attended included Tánaiste Mary Coughlan who chaired the convention, former tánaiste Ray MacSharry, MEP Pat “the Cope” Gallagher and former TD Mattie Brennan.
The mood was upbeat as the new party leader accused the Opposition parties of assuming their right to power and as he promised to meet them “head on” in the election campaign. “They do not want an election they want a coronation and I am determined not to let them away with it,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing controversy about the leaders’ debates Mr Martin said: “I am amazed and somewhat surprised at the failure and reluctance of Enda Kenny to step up to the plate.”
He urged party members to convince people on the doorsteps that “we are worthy of their trust” and to “confound” the political pundits.
Mr Martin accused the main Opposition parties of glossing over their differences but he said the public was entitled to debates.
“Our back are to the wall like never before”, said Senator MacSharry. He appealed for a new approach by the party, better communication and an end to the government tendency to “defend the indefensible”.
Mr Scanlon said they party would have to campaign every borreen, street town and parish.
Pat “the Cope” Gallagher said that not only was the party playing against the wind in this campaign “we are in a hurricane”.
Mr Martin paid tribute to outgoing TD Jimmy Devins who he described as “a gentleman to his fingertips.”
