GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES in Tipperary have spoken about “dirty tricks” after a number of posters were removed around Clonmel.
Members of the Clonmel branch of Sinn Féin say that they had five billboards and a number of posters for their candidate Seamie Morris stolen and replaced by the posters of another candidate on Monday night.
A trailer belonging to Independent candidate Mattie McGrath was also taken along with posters.
Paddy O’Donoghue of Clonmel Sinn Féin told TheJournal.ie that a member of the public spotted the culprits and took a photo.
Despite threats earlier in the week, he said the photo won’t be posted online just yet.
“We’ve had five billboards and between ten and 12 posters taken down.
We’re not going to post the photo. If they want to debate the issue, we’ll do that.
“But if people want to have a dirty campaign, we’ll leave them to it.”
He added that he had contacted the party and candidate, but had heard nothing, conceding that it may have been a paid contractor and not a member of a campaign team.
“The most insulting thing is they took the billboards but used our stakes to put theirs up.
“If they don’t respond, then we’ll see what we’ll do.
“It’s a big talking point around town.”
A spokesperson for McGrath confirmed that a trailer and a number of posters for the incumbent TD had also been taken the same night in the same area.
This is despite the trailer being chained down.
None of the material had been recovered by late on Friday.
Both camps say that this is new occurrence in the county and would not normally be expected.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say