Election campaigning across two counties

This weekend marked the first couple of days of General Election campaigning, with 16 candidates running in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency.

With five seats up for grabs the main parties- Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin- are all running three candidate strategies.

Fianna Fáil have nominated sitting TD's Brendan Smith, Niamh Smyth and Monaghan Senator Robbie Gallagher to stand.

With Minister Heather Humphreys retiring the challenge for Fine Gael will be to capitalise on her level of vote getting, and see if sharing the load can benefit Cllrs TP O'Reilly who stood in 2020, Carmel Brady, and David Maxwell.

Sinn Féin bolstered their options by adding Cllr Cathy Bennett to a party ticket that already had sitting TD's Matt Carthy and Pauline Tully.

However, looking over their shoulders are Cavan Cllrs, Aontú's Sarah O'Reilly, who stood in 2020, and Independent Ireland's Shane P O'Reilly.

Of the 16 candidates running locally, just five are in Monaghan and 10 are living in Cavan, with PBP–Solidarity's Emma Hendrick based in Sligo.

The Green Party are standing Eddie O'Gara, while former Shamrock Independent now standing on his own steam, Lester Gordon will hope to build on his surprise success in the recent local elections.

Former Garda and environmental campaigner Val Martin will represent the Irish Freedom Party, and Mark Moore was been chosen for the National Party/ Alliance.

Already the parties are plumping their respective manifestos, with pledges from some to permanently reduce the VAT rate for the food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing sectors.

On Friday 29 November, voters will cast their ballots to elect the new TDs of the 34th Dáil, with counting taking place in the days after.