Disappointment over polling station decision

FINGAL County Council has confirmed that some residents in Swords will not be able to cast their vote in the upcoming elections in their local area, and will have to travel to another estate in the town.
Residents in Brackenstown were due to cast their votes for the Local and European Elections at their local national school, St Cronan’s, on May 23.

However, the residents are also eligible to vote in the Dublin West By-Election.

After it was announced that this election would also take place on May 23, the decision was taken that votes must be cast at Holy Family National School in Rivervalley.

The affected residents will now be voting for candidates in all three elections – Dublin West By-Election, Local and European Elections – in Rivervalley which is a considerable distance away if you don’t have transport.

Cllr Darragh Butler, a Fianna Fail candidate in the Swords ward for the local elections, fears that as a result of this decision some residents may be unwilling to travel outside their area to cast their votes.

Cllr Butler said he was very annoyed and disappointed by the decision.

“Unfortunately this could result in a lot of voters staying at home, and in protest, refusing to exercise their democratic right,

? he told Northside People.

“I had argued with the council officials and made numerous suggestions such as using separate desks and classrooms at St Cronan’s, but unfortunately the Dublin West Returning Officer (person who makes the final decision) has not accepted any of these.

?

Ironically, the residents in Swords eligible to vote in the Dublin West By-Election will find themselves voting for a new TD who will not be representing them for the long term.

In the next general election, all of Swords will become part of the new Dublin Fingal constituency, replacing the old Dublin North constituency.

For the 2011 General Election, Swords was controversially split into two separate electoral areas – Dublin North and Dublin West.

Following intense lobbying from residents’ groups and local public representatives, the boundary commission has since decided that Swords will be reunited for the next general election.

This is due to be held in 2016 if the Coalition Government survives for a full term.

Meanwhile, Green Party chairperson and Castleknock ward local election candidate, Roderic O’Gorman, has announced that he will also be contesting the Dublin West By-election.

“I believe in giving the people of Dublin West the opportunity to vote for a Green Party voice in Dáil Eireann,

? he said.

Former athletics star Eamonn Coghlan (FG), David McGuinness (FF), Loraine Mulligan (Lab), Paul Donnelly (SF), Ruth Coppinger (SP) and David Hall (Ind) are among the other contenders vying for the seat left vacant following the resignation of Patrick Nulty.