Age-old argument casts shadow over campaign

A Connemara based candidate claims that a rival party is accusing her of being ageist by claiming to be the youngest runner in the field.

And she has laid the charge at the door of a former councillor who she accuses of trying to influence older members of the community not to vote for her.

Fine Gael Oughterard-based candidate Niamh Byrne has declared in her posters that she is Connemara’s youngest candidate.

She also declares that she will provide “a fresh approach to local politics” and makes no apology for this.

Ms Byrne said that it was “a sad day” when a rival party accuses someone of being ageist when all her poster was doing was stating a solid fact.

“I understand that a former councillor is behind this and I believe that it is very cheap. It is an ugly way to conduct a campaign.

“I genuinely feel that what the Council is missing is a young and dynamic representative who offers a new perspective to local politics.

“The ageist claim is preposterous and typical propaganda from members of the opposition who have already started mud-slinging.

“I feel that young people have not been fairly represented at Council level and thus the Council has not been representing the electorate,” Niamh Byrne added.

She said that it was ironic that in the past week she visited three nursing homes in her area and got a very positive response.

Indeed, she added that she was the only candidate who had visited the nursing homes in question which rubbished the allegation that she was ageist.

“I am not out there solely to appeal to young voters but I genuinely believe that being young is a wonderful attribute and I believe that the day of stereotyping politicians is gone.

“My campaign has not been ageist but I acknowledge that the opposition’s campaign approach is old and a sure sign that they feel threatened by a competent new candidate,” Niamh Byrne added.