LAST UPDATE | 9 Nov

SENATOR TIMMY DOOLEY has hit out at the “criminal thugs” that he said defaced his billboards and removed some of his election posters last night.

In a post to Instagram alongside an image of his defaced billboard, Dooley said: “Short message to the criminal thugs that defaced my billboards and removed some of my poll posters last night – ‘I won’t be intimidated by your actions or those of your masters’”.

Dooley, who is running for election in Clare, has been a senator for Fianna Fáil since 2020. He had previously served as a TD for the constituency from 2007 to 2020. 

The billboard was vandalised with red and blue spray paint, with the words ‘DOFUCKALL’ and ‘ÉIRE’ painted on the campaign billboard.

Instagram / Timmy Dooley Instagram / Timmy Dooley / Timmy Dooley

In his post, Dooley continued: “It’s often said that politics is a dirty game but it doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be! In a democracy people get to choose their representatives at the ballot box after robust debate and careful consideration of the issues.

“It’s disgusting that some play a dirty game to undermine the campaign of others. It begs the question what have they to fear?” he said.

“I will continue to campaign on the issues, meeting people and seeking their support so I can continue to deliver for the people of Clare.”

Labour candidate Evie Nevin, who is running in Cork South-West, also suffered damage to her election campaign posters. 

Evie Nevin / Instagram Evie Nevin / Instagram / Instagram

On Instagram, Kevin wrote: “Last night, someone drove at least 20 km and vandalised campaign posters, cutting out the faces on mine and those of other candidates.

“I dislike using posters myself, but until all candidates stop, we’re compelled to use them. I have only 300 posters for the entire constituency—the bare minimum, many of which are reused from the last election.”

In her post, she outlined her preference for a different type of postering for elections, and said: “It would also foster a more respectful atmosphere by reducing the need for excessive posters, which are often subject to vandalism, and would ensure that everyone’s message is presented fairly and equally.”

Campaign posters and billboards have frequently been the target of vandalism. In the run-up to the local and European elections in June, Fianna Fáil councillor Aoife McCooey told The Journal that she had refrained from putting up too many posters as she’d had so many defaced in the past. 

“They’re almost targets. It’s sort of put me off posters,” she said.