This article is from page 16 of the 2013-04-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
LESS than three years from after it was decimated in a General Election, the Fianna Fáil party in Clare believes it is regaining its political stronghold once again in the county.
Two full buses left the Banner county on Saturday morning for the party’s 74th Ard Fheis in Dublin, with more travelling the night before.
Among the delegates were men with 30 years membership who had never before attended an Ard Fheis, and numerous young people.
The Clare branch of the party was celebrating the fact that it had reached 800 in membership, the majority of the new recruits under the age of 30.
Adding to their confidence of local support was the fact that they won a prize for the second year running for the second highest gate collection in the country and the second best contribution to the National Draw.
And to top it all off, there was a former Green Party councillor now one of their own also wandering around the RDS wearing a “guest badge”.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) is now an official member of the party, but it will be another 12 months before he graduates to the stature of delegate and have a vote in party affairs.
The weekend and perceived growing support within the county was also a boost of confidence for those who must encourage and organise candidates for the local election next year.
Constituency organiser Michael Neylon said, “It shows that we are active.”
Clare is also punching above its weight when it comes to the national executive.
Two Clare men were elected to the “Committee of 20” at the weekend, to join Constituency Secretary Gerry Reidy and TD Timmy Dooley on the executive.
Ennis man Garrett Greene, who was returned to the “Committee of 20”, is even among the older members on the influential committee at just 38 years old.
Newcomer, Eoin Neylon also from Ennis is considered among the average age at just 26 years old.
Mr Greene is a manager of TTM Healthcare’s Medical Division in Ennis.
“The positive atmosphere and the energy we saw this weekend is testament to the fact that Fianna Fáil has a strong and vital role to play in the future of Irish politics. I want to thank all of those from Clare who attended the Ard Fheis and made their voices heard about the future of the party,” he said.
Mr (Eoin) Neylon is a structural engineer based in London and set up the city’s first ever Fianna Fáil Cumann.
“It is a wonderful honour to be chosen by Fianna Fáil members to represent them on the National Executive. I want to thank all the party members who voted for me and I will endeavour to perform my role to the best of my ability. The grassroots of the party needs to have a greater say in how the party is run and I hope to provide a direct link to the Ard Comhairle for many local members,” he said.