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AMONG THE SEVERAL councillors who have joined Renua Ireland is Ronan McMahon.
Yesterday he denied he broke a pledge made on campaign literature that he would not join any political party.
The South Dublin county councillor joined Lucinda Creighton, Eddie Hobbs and others at the launch of the new party yesterday morning in the Science Gallery.
Around the same time this section of a McMahon campaign leaflet was tweeted by the former Young Fine Gael president Dale McDermott.
As you’ll see in the literature, McMahon made a clear commitment to remain as an independent if elected and said he will not join any political party.
McMahon was elected for the Templeogue-Terenure ward in the the local elections last May having controversially run as an ‘Independent Fine Gael’ candidate.
He was also an unsuccessful independent candidate in the Dublin South-West by-election last October.
When we put it to him at yesterday’s press conference that he’d broken a promise to voters by joining Renua, here’s what he had to say:
“I did run as an independent. At that stage, there was no alternative choice, there was no home for me. I felt running as an independent would be best. I’ve spent 10 months now on the council and I’ve realised you need to be on the inside to effect change. I thought I’d go in as an independent, full of gung-ho, and effect change. But I must say I find it very difficult as an independent to effect change. Renua wasn’t around in the last local elections last May. So, I had no choice there.”
Speaking to TheJournal.ie after the press conference, McMahon insisted: “Every time I canvassed on doors I said I will not join Sinn Féin, I will not join Fine Gael, I will not join Labour, I will not join Fianna Fáil.”
He insisted:
“I haven’t broken a promise. Renua Ireland wasn’t around at that time. Renua Ireland is a new movement. It’s not about the old style party politics. There’s so much room in Renua Ireland to effect change. As an independent you can’t effect change.”
When we pushed him on the fact that he appears to have broken a promise to voters. Here’s what he said:
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A big noise about a man in a powerless and unimportant position and his struggle to find his new home in a powerless and unimportant party.
A politician lying? Never!
It’s like Custer’s last stand, doing anything to save themselves from wipeout…
Hugh, You didn’t ask him about pizza toppings?
Ahh, you save that haymaker for the big interviews
Sorry Huey. Will remember next time.
Renua Ireland Party RIP. I certainly don’t think they are an alternative they are more like a bunch of conservative fine gaellers with no new ideas just continue the same policies as the last crowd. So basically the same as fine
gael, they promise to ‘change’ but the only ‘change’ they make is less in everyone’s pocket unless your a supporter.
He’s ex FG lying to the people comes naturally , did the journal question any of the other politicians from government that they’ve had in for coffee on their broken election promises .
Just heard your man Flanagan God help us talk about amateurs.
Who cares?
Anybody who was hoping for some decent new alternatives to vote for.
If you can’t effect change as a politician you are in the wrong job. The fact that no one is listening to you should tell you to move on.
He said the words “affect change” repeatedly but not what the changes he wants to “affect” are.
Usual politico buzzword “I’ll say anything you want to hear to get elected for financial reasons” spin bs.
Do not vote for this spoofer!
A blue shirt changing his top 4 a navy blue shirt
Just another pocket stuffer looking for help to stuff his pockets.
What’s another lie in the ocean of lies
Start as you meen to go on
These politicans are shallow
Change parties but everything stays the same
We need to shake Up the Irish political system
I certainly wouldn’t rate that in any way as bad as an entire political party (Fine Gael) promising to safeguard the constitutional protection of the unborn before the General Election, and then doing a complete volte-face on the most tenuous of arguments only to legislate for abortion.
Good man Brian, let more mothers die, but protect what might not even be a viable foetus instead.
A broken promise from an Irish politician?
What a shocker!
Same bunch of clowns with a different name they have absolutely nothing to offer the Irish people. I really hope the people have sense and vote for none of these people.
Rejected
Eejits’
Nugatory
Unnecessary
Alliance
Of course you can affect change as an Independent; for heavens sake look at what Shane Ross did! He just knows his election expenses will be paid in a party.
At least we know he lies,that’s good to know before not voting for him
Of course an independent can effect change. Look what Clare Daly brought about with Shatter and Callinan for instance. But another liar…..should go far in RENUA.
Let’s start off with a very easy question.
All other political parties in Ireland an in favour of a Yes in the May Referendom on same sex marriage. What is the official stance on the new party on this issue. We accept that a whip will not be applied but what is the new party’s actual stance on this issue?
I’d rather be more proactive and fit a carbon monoxide alarm
have your say