Veteran politician Dr Jim McDaid has said he is confident Fianna Fail can clinch four county council seats in the Letterkenny/Milford area.
The former Minister for Tourism and Sport was speaking at the launch of the campaign for Glenswilly candidate James ‘Pat’ McDaid.
A large crowd turned out for the launch of the 25 year old at the Station House Hotel.
A large Glenswilly contingent as well as current Fianna Fail councillors Ciaran Brogan and Liam Blaney as well as the party’s fourth candidate John Watson were present.
Also there were GAA star Michael Murphy, a personal friend and team-mate of James Pat as well as TD Charlie McConalogue.
Dr McDaid said he was appealing to the people of Glenswilly to get behind this “decent young man.”
He referred to the pride of the people of ‘The Glen’ and how the crowd was always worth another 20% to any Glenswilly team.
It was this kind of support which will get James Pat McDaid elected to Donegal County Council, he said.
Dr McDaid said he wanted to personally thank the McDaid family for the support they had given him and paid a special tribute to James’ mum Peggy who had not been keeping well lately.
“Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if he was elected not just for himself but for Peggy and the people of the Glen,” he said.
Charlie McConalogue TD said James may not have the experience of politics behind him but that will stand to him in many ways.
He referred to his young age and how Ireland always needs change with its politics.
“Don’t worry that you haven’t got the experience. That will come. What you have is commitment and a work ethic and that will take you far.
“Alan Shatter may not be the Minister for Justice for long but I’m confident the name of James Pat McDaid will be on Donegal County Council,” he said.
GAA player Michael Murphy said he was at the event in a personal capacity and to support his lifelong friend.
“Even when we were youngsters James Pat always had an interest in politics when none of the rest of us had,” he said.
He also stressed the attraction of having a young and new voice on the council.
“I will be there to help him in every way I can,” said Michael.
James Pat McDaid himself said that politics has been in his family for as long as he can remember.
Although the McDaid family always loved the buzz of an election, he admitted it will be a very different feeling when he sees his name on the ballot sheet.
He outlined seven different areas on which he will be fighting his campaign.
They include road safety, healthcare, social housing, the regeneration of Letterkenny Main Street and the Market Square, the upgrading of the N14 road from the Manor Roundabout to Lifford, home security and planning regulations.
In an honest and frank summing up, James Pat admitted that Fianna Fail had made mistakes in the past but they should be given another chance.
He said he would like to be part of that new era and appealed to people to “get out and vote for James Pat McDaid on May 23rd.”
He received a huge round of applause for what was a clearly nervous night for the young Glen man.
A good base of support is there for McDaid, a base he can build on in the coming weeks when he knocks on doors and tells people why he can be their voice on Donegal County Council.
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