Cootehill Independents vow this was just start of political journey

People want two-sided debate on 'uncontrolled level of inward migration' say Cosgrove and McCormack

Independent candidates who ran off the back of the Cootehill refugee protests have committed to running again in the next local elections.

Garry Cosgrove and Fiona McCormack attended Cavan Leisure Centre to take in the atmosphere at the count for their first election. They deliberately avoided the talk of tallies, which suggested they had mixed fortunes.

Considering they were focussing particularly on the immigration issue, and had no party apparatus behind them, it may surprise some to learn they are in line to amass a combined 800 first preference votes.

According to the tallies (unofficial estimates) Garry Cosgrove is set to claim 603 first preference votes; while Fiona McCormack will claim a further 200. When McCormack is eliminated, Cosgrove will hope to be the largest beneficiary.

Cosgrove said they "probably underestimated" the difficulty in canvassing the huge electoral area but added "we gave it a good shot".

"We have different views from a lot of other candidates going forward, so you are putting yourself out there above that parapet.

"I feel personally what we are pushing out on, there are a lot of people who would like to talk about it but they need someone going out there to give the encouragement to come out and talk openly about it and have a two-sided debate in the country about what's going on. If we don't succeed on this occasion there's always another in five years' time - we'll be back."

Both candidates felt they got great receptions on the doors and it gave them a chance to put their views across.

"We've handed out over 7,000 leaflets, and they were not just pushed through letter boxes - they were 7,000 conversations. Every leaflet I handed out was a conversation."

McCormack said that "absolutely" the refugee issue will be more relevant in five years' time.

"It came on everyone's lips, at the end of the conversation: 'They're getting more than us'. So there was a divide there, always people have that divide, because they're being treated differently so how would any one integrate like that?"

Fiona McCormack asserted that the system is unfair.

"That's why I'm into this - I'm in for fairness in every way.

"I don't see this as the end for me, absolutely not. No. This has actually given me the spirit to move forward and do something more for the community.

"I am not finished. I am not finished," she emphasised.

Those more sympathetic to the plight of IPAS applicants (International Protection Accommodation Services) however would note that, under the current regulations, asylum seekers are means tested and, if not able to live independently, they receive an allowance per week of €38.80 (adult) and €29.80 (child) nor can they access child benefit for their children.

The Celt asked both candidates if anyone accused them of being racist?

"Not one," said McCormack.

"Of course on social media you will get the odd person firing that out. To me they're faceless people, I would say to them in response, 'Come and meet me and listen to my views and talk to me'.

"I should point out that 30% of people in my company are non-Irish born so for anyone to turn around and say that I'm a racist - I'm far from it," he said noting he was an economic migrant in Australia.

"What we're talking about here is the uncontrolled level of inward migration. If you ask any of the other candidates, they will feel the same - they know it's not sustainable."