Fianna Fáil veteran Pat the Cope Gallagher has reacted to the latest opinion polls, saying they are “only a snapshot in time”.
A Tirconaill Tribune newspaper poll, released last night, puts Pearse Doherty clear in the lead in the Donegal constituency.
Pat the Cope is second on the list at 13.88%.
However, the West Donegal candidate says polls give voters a false belief that a candidate is ‘safe’.
In a call to voters for their number one vote, he said: “In 2020 a false sense of security circulated about me that Pat the Cope was safe. This will not happen this time I hope.”
Pat the Cope, whose political career goes back to the 1970s, lost his seat four years ago but has continued to stay active in the community.
“Politics has been my entire life’s work,” he said.
“I represented Donegal over many years as a Councillor, TD, MEP, Minister and Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am appealing for your No.1 or highest preference vote to allow me to continue working on behalf of you, the people of Donegal.”