CONSTITUENCY PROFILE:IN ELECTORAL terms, Kerry South FF TD John O'Donoghue occupied the most enviable position as the last Dáil began its term. As ceann comhairle, he would be returned automatically in the following general election. But the coveted political prize slipped from his grasp when he resigned over a controversy about his foreign travel expenses.
Kerry South returned to a three-seater; the other outgoing TDs are Fine Gael’s Tom Sheahan and Independent Jackie Healy-Rae, who supported the Government in return for constituency projects. His son Michael is the candidate this time.
Although his resilience in the face of formidable odds should not be underestimated, O’Donoghue now finds himself fighting for his political life. His opponents include county councillor Tom Fleming, a former running mate of O’Donoghue’s who resigned from Fianna Fáil to stand as an Independent.
Fleming’s campaign received a significant boost when long- serving councillor Michael Cahill, a former O’Donoghue supporter, also resigned from Fianna Fáil to canvass for him.
Fleming’s unexpected decision to join the Independent ranks also means Michael Healy-Rae is under pressure. However, the Healy-Rae machine – which includes brother Danny who, like Michael, topped the poll in his area in the local elections – can never be underestimated.
Fleming is tipped to win a seat, as is Sheahan, who ended an 18-year Dáil famine for Fine Gael in Kerry South last time. Healy- Rae and O’Donoghue are among those fighting for the third seat.
Rathmore-based Sheahan’s running mate is Brendan Griffin from Keel, who has an area covering the Dingle peninsula and parts of mid-Kerry to exploit. He has promised to take a 50 per cent pay cut if elected.
Given the electoral wind is to Fine Gael’s back, a strong performance by Griffin could put the party in the running for two seats, an unlikely but not impossible outcome.
The Labour candidate is Killarney-based councillor Marie Moloney, who worked as constituency secretary for former Labour TD Breeda Moynihan Cronin for 15 years. If she does well in transfers, she could be in contention for a seat.
Also in the mix is high-profile Killarney-based Independent councillor Michael Gleeson who, to avoid litter, has no posters. Instead, he has an impressive glossy leaflet outlining a wide range of policies on behalf of his locally-known South Kerry Independent Alliance.
With Kerry South’s electoral scenario changed beyond recognition from the last election, predictions, particularly about the third seat, are hazardous. A handful of transfers could determine the outcome.
KERRY SOUTH: 3 SEATS
OUTGOING TDs:
John O'Donoghue (FF), Tom Sheahan (FG), Jackie Healy-Rae (Ind)
CANDIDATES:
Oonagh Comerford (GP), Richard Behal (Ind), Dermot Finn (Ind), Tom Fleming (Ind), Michael Gleeson (Ind), Michael Healy-Rae (Ind), John O'Donoghue (FF), Tom Sheahan (FG), Brendan Griffin (FG), Marie Moloney (Lab)
LOCAL ISSUES:
Unemployment and emigration. Sustainable jobs in Killarney, which is now relying solely on tourism. Hospital facilities in Kenmare, as well as suicide and rural isolation.
VERDICT:FG 1, Ind 2
