Trio in presidential race meet with the voters at Ploughing
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A number of presidential hopefuls were on the campaign trail at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan on Tuesday of this week.
Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, Independent Catherine Connolly, and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys were all in attendance and spoke about the motivations behind their respective Áras bids.
Connolly attended the stall of Midlands North-West MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, later greeting supporters as she walked around the event grounds.
"This is a very important election," Connolly told the Offaly Independent. "I have been canvassing for six weeks solid. I made my decision to stand, and I've never looked back.
"It was the right decision to stand up, be courageous, and provide a different vision for the country - a voice for peace, a voice that will articulate the existential threat that is posed by climate change, and a voice for communities on the ground.
"Over the last six weeks, I've realised in a more acute way the work being done by community groups and co-ops on the ground, and I'd like to recognise that work."
Former Dublin gaelic football manager Jim Gavin attended the Fianna Fáil stall at the Ploughing, greeting attendees for pictures. Minister Dara Calleary, Minister Jack Chambers, and MEP Barry Cowen also showed their support.
"I'm delighted to be here with our presidential candidate, Jim Gavin," said Mr Cowen. "[He has] great credentials, sound standing, a good Irishman, with a good track record in relation to his dedication and commitment to the State.
"I'm looking forward to an energetic campaign where he'll touch base with the heart of Ireland and beyond, and show the sort of qualities that have endeared him to us and will no doubt endear him to the Irish people."
Gavin said his focus for his campaign was on "meeting rural Ireland, meeting the farmers, and meeting the young people to see what their vision of the future of Ireland is".
"I do have farming in my DNA, (farmers) are the custodians of the land," he said.
When asked whether his politics truly aligned with Fianna Fáil, having previously considered aligning himself with Fine Gael, he noted that he is a member of Fianna Fáil and has staunchly supported the party throughout his life.
"I was proud to take part in Fianna Fáil's nomination process last week, and to be selected as their candidate," he said.
Heather Humphreys also walked the grounds of the Ploughing Championships greeting supporters. She said she intends to "speak up for the people" if elected.
"If the people are good enough to elect me and they put their trust in me as president, I will speak up for them. I’ve never been afraid to speak up for people, and I will certainly do that, but I will also respect the Constitution and I work within my constitutional role as a president," she said.
Speaking about her decision to step down from politics last year, Humphreys said she "was a bit burnt out" at the time, but is returning with an energetic election campaign now that her "batteries are fully charged".