This article was published in the Donegal News on Friday 22 May 2009, reprinted by permission.

Paddy and the young lady in the towel

 
Padraig O’Dochartaigh canvassing every nook and cranny of Cloughaneely this week. Photos: Declan Doherty

HE’S 62 year-old, has been ‘shafted’ by Fine Gael (allegedly) and can get a young woman to stand half naked on a doorstep during a canvass.

That’s flamboyant Independent County Councillor, Padraig O’- Dochartaigh, who contested his first local election all of 36 years ago but is canvassing around the Glenties Electoral Area like a man half his age. As one bemused man said on Wednesday afternoon “you’d need roller skates to keep up with that man”.

The former vice principal of Derrybeg National School was canvassing in the Falcarragh-Gortahork area when the Donegal News caught up with him. There are three candidates in the parish seeking election but O’Dochartaigh, from nearby Gweedore, knocks on every door of the Ballina Housing Estate with the exuberance of a man out on his first canvass.

“Sure it is great to get out there without the baggage of a party whip and just get on with it. I’ve nobody to answer to at party level and I’ve much more freedom to express my views,” he said.

“Okay, I was shafted by Fine Gael after spending over 30 years with the party including the last ten as a county councillor, but I’m determined to return to Lifford as an Independent candidate,” Councillor O’- Dochartaigh said.

The former teacher is fighting a tough battle in an electoral area where there are a total of 14 candidates vying for just five seats, one less than in the last local elections in 2004. There is an electorate of over 23,000 and up to 15,000 to 16,000 people are expected to cast their votes.

This would leave a quota of around 2,600, a tough ask for the new Independent councillor who polled 1,150 first preferences in the last elections. Transfers are key in an electoral division marked by parish rivalry.

“We don’t blame you for that Paddy,” said Connie Doogan.

“It will be a funny election though. You’ll have to wait until June 6 before I will tell you if I supported you but you’re in the mix,” Mr Doogan added.

Not one to be deterred O’Dochartaigh pushes on down the estate. “I always voted for Paddy when he was with Fine Gael and I’ll do so again. He’s a great supporter of Tory Island and I’m from Tory but we’re living here 27 years. I hope Paddy gets in,” said Jimmy Doohan.

Two doors down and Paddy Doohan also gives O’Dochartaigh the thumbs up.

“The fishing is gone in the area and we need something done with the Main Street in Falcarragh but I’m going to support you anyway,” he said.

Around the corner young mother, Aisling Doohan isn’t so clear cut. “I’m looking for your support,” O’Dochartaigh says on the doorstep.

“We’ll, you’ll be looking,” she quips back.

“I haven’t a clue how to vote yet but we’ll keep you in mind,” she said.

Mary Cannon can only promise Councillor O’Dochartaigh her ‘Number Two’.

“I won’t say who is getting my first preference,” she says.

Such is his charm, O’Dochartaigh manages to get a scantily-clad young woman to listen on the doorstep covered by nothing other than a small bath towel. Fresh from the shower, unidentified woman said she’d do her best, and off he went with a hearty laugh and a spring in his step. Falcarragh is an area badly hit by poor infrastructure and unemployment. The local Údarás na Gaeltachta Industrial Estate that once employed more than 150 people now provides just ten jobs. The nearby Gaoth Dobhair Business Park has also haemorrhaged jobs in the past decade.

Councillor O’Dochartaigh has been a member of Údarás for the past 25 years and has built up a reasonably strong base.

“I’m really heartened that many of the people who supported me with Fine Gael are still here with me. There are a lot of young people out with me. It may be the toughest election I’ve ever contested but I’ll fight for every vote,” he said.

With that, he’s around to the next doorstep. Onwards and upwards-June 5 will tell the tale.