A mixed bag of issues on doorsteps in Ballyjamesduff
Campaign Trail
Yours truly joined newcomer Nathan Galligan and his uncle, Michael, on a Thursday evening as they canvassed the area on behalf of Fianna Fáil for a seat on the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District on June 7.
Nathan, a 23-year-old Liffey Meats employee, was selected at a party convention in the Crover House Hotel last month. The canvas took place in the townlands of Drumcaw, Dunancory and Deerpark and, while many issues were raised on the doorsteps, the candidate and his company were received with warmth and respect at local homes.
A numbers of matters were brought to Nathan’s attention including the lack of supports for children with autism at local secondary schools; the development of Virginia by-pass; speeding cars on local roads; drainage issues; the need for funding for sports clubs; and timely access to local hospital services to mention but a few.
It was a relatively dry evening when we set out and, within a short space of time, it became evident that there are a number of vacant properties in the area. A couple of non-nationals living locally also highlighted how they weren’t registered to vote, but none-the-less appreciated the Local Election candidate knocking on their door. There were others - not from Ireland originally but obviously settled in and around Ballyjamesduff - who said they had registered and would be voting on June 7.
One man told Nathan that the cars were speeding on the road in front of his house and his fence had been damaged on several occasions as a result. He also highlighted that an ESB pole close to the fence had also been damaged by speeding vehicles. “If you could do something about this, it would be great,” the local resident said. The reply: “If you vote for me and I get elected, I will do my best.”
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Roads top of agenda in the Ballyjamesduff electoral area
A little further up the road, Nathan was asked what his plan of action for the area was, if elected.
He highlighted the need for additional funds for roads and said it was a matter he would champion if he clinches a much-coveted seat on Cavan County Council.
The election hopeful also pointed to the wealth of sporting talent in the county and the importance of funding for sports clubs in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District. “I also want to hear what people want locally so that I can lobby our TDs for the funding that is needed,” he said.
Another resident asked if there was any funding to fix the road to his home. “It’s falling apart,” he said. “I heard it was going to be tarred but I haven’t seen anything happening.”Nathan replied that works are due to commence on a nearby bridge and that plans are also in place to widen the road there.
Further up the road, drainage issues bubbled to the surface. A resident explained how, when there is heavy rainfall, a drain gets blocked at the end of the road and the area at his gates becomes flooded. He claimed to have rang Cavan County Council in January about the matter but said “it’s still blocked”.
The resident estimated he has been out of pocket to the tune of €180 to fix the problem but feels it’s a matter for the local authority. “The drain goes the whole way down the public road,” he added.
Elsewhere, another constituent highlighted the need for the Virginia by-pass to be completed; while Nathan was later told about the importance of the new extension being brought to fruition “sooner rather than later” at Virginia College.
Another resident appeared to be completely disillusioned with the Virginia by-pass plan. He told Nathan that he moved to the area 23 years ago when the plan was first mooted and felt it would be another 20 years before it would actually become a reality.
At another door, a lady highlighted how there aren’t enough childcare or afterschool places in the locality and this, she believed, “is an issue that the Government has to sort out”.
At this point, it was time to get back into the car and head for new territory. And with time pushing on, the canvassers were conscious that parents would soon be preparing to put small children to bed.
A few knocks and chats later and Nathan was told that “the wife votes but I don’t”. The resident highlighted that he had lived in the UK for a long number of years and didn’t vote there either. “Ah, I don’t bother; I don’t think I ever voted in my life,” he admitted.
Next up, Nathan heard from a mother whose children have additional needs. She highlighted the lack of school supports and mental health services and indicated that she had to access occupational and speech therapies privately. “There are just no services available for our kids,” she lamented, before telling Nathan that public services have to be accessible for everyone.
Another woman told Nathan that her son was “going to vote for you”, which brought a smile to the local candidate’s face. Further up the road, a man said that the lack of gardaí in the area was a matter of serious concern for local residents. He highlighted that the presence of gardaí would prevent opportunists from robbing houses - something that was a problem in the area in the past.
“Virginia has no hotel in the town; we have one and a half pubs and traffic all day long,” outlined the last resident on Thursday’s evening campaign trail. “Can you sort that out?” was the question that young Nathan Galligan was then left with as he headed back home to process the many local concerns that were raised with him.
If his ability matches his enthusiasm, and Nathan is given a shot by the electorate, it’s fair to say he will certainly try.