Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE MEATH EAST by-election will be held on 27 March, it has been confirmed today.
The announcement means there is just over three weeks to go until the vote to fill the seat vacated by the death of Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Shane McEntee last December.
McEntee’s daughter Helen McEntee is likely to run for Fine Gael in the by-election with Fianna Fáil senator Thomas Byrne likely to be her closest challenger.
The Labour Party has yet to select a candidate and is now faced with a race against time to select someone to run in the constituency.
A party spokesperson said today that the process of selecting a candidate is under way and letters have been sent to party membership in the area asking for expressions of interest.
The deadline for letters to be returned from interested individuals is this Thursday and a selection convention will be held after that but no date has yet been set for this convention.
“It’ll be sooner rather than later. The announcement has certainly brought it into sharp focus,” the spokesperson said.
Sinn Féin has nominated Darren O’Rourke, an advisor to the party’s health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, to run in the constituency.
Seamus McDonagh will run for the Workers’ Party, who ran in Meath West in the 2011 general election.
The Green Party will select Seán Ó Buachalla, who finished last in the 2011 election.
I’m thinking of setting up a Never Forget Party that’ll shadow Thomas Byrne around the constituency. Anyone with me?
Anyone but sf
Hope DDI make some sort of a break through
At least there’s no gamesmanship or politicking with this Government re: the timing of the election and the seat isn’t being left unfilled until a politically expedient moment like with the last shower.
Here’s a question, Hugh. Why is it day in, day out FG and Labour Ministers are accused of treachery on corruption on here that is regarded as freedom if speech. Yet when I suggest that SF members have committed crimes in the past, a matter of historical record- my post is taken down?
Kevin – NEWSFLASH. This shower are no different to the last shower. I hope DDI win the seat but I don’t think they will. I hope I am wrong though.
I hope that FF do not target her like they did her father.
Why no mention of Direct Democracy Ireland? They plan on running Ben Gilroy… A little bit of fairness would go a long way you know….
Because they’re an irrelevance?
Haha stick with your tweedle dum and tweedle dee options so, where nothing ever changes, different finger same hand scenario. Ben Gilroy is a great man and ddi are a great option..
Are they?….. Explain…
Previous comment directed to @ Kevin Shaw
@ Kevin Shaw
…And the likes of you in your ignorance and oft time too much complacency never changes!
What a stupid comment!
Tell you what, David, Biggins & Trevor- if a DDI candidate wins that by-election I will humbly apologise. Until then, I’ll stand by my assertion that they’re an irrelevance, thank you.
DDI are far from an irrelevance Kevin. Their hour is coming.
Oooooooooooh. Scary.
I would personally vote for anyone apart from Fianna Fail (the ones who bankrupted us), Fine Gael(the ones who continue to bankrupt us) and Labour (the power hungry parasites attached to Fine Gael)!!!!! Its time for a change, even if its only 1 seat and I will definitely be voting either Sinn Fein or Independent…I am going to look up this DDI people everyone is talking about too………because what is the point in me voting for the “same old same old”…they have done NOTHING but financially hurt,and morally disgusted my family and I with their policies!!!!
It’s incredible, FG are openly going for nepotism and a sympathy vote. It’s awful what happened Mr McEntee and my sympathies are with his family, as I’m sure are everyone’s, but the nerve of these people is stunning.
As far as Kevin Shaw is concerned – anyone that is willing to put their idea and person forth to the public, is an irrelevance by the sound of his disgusting attitude via his words above.
Shame on him.
Biggins- no. I’m just bored listening to rubbish on here from a handful of DDI activists intent on hijacking the forum to advertise the non-event that is DDI. Nobody cares about DDI. Noone is going to vote for them. Frankly, nobody gives a toss. So give the shameless promotion of a dead duck a rest.
Im just reading your comments here Kevin..it must be painful to be such a negative person..its bleedin painful just reading your drivel!!
A LOT of people care about the DDI – and have been quietly working away doing much ground work.
I, myself is attending a DDI meeting this week to start spreading the word further.
Just because YOU gaven’t heard anything or think they are just another ‘irrelevance’ don’t mean that you are correct.
Your attitude stinks to high-heaven of complacency, unwillingness to accept change, even willing to listen or work towards change.
Its your type of thinking that is keeping Ireland stuck in the past, dismissing others before you are even willing to give them a chance.
Thankfully some of the rest of us are not like you Kevin.
Biggins- Red C and Millward Brown would suggest otherwise.
@ Kevin Shaw
Polls change – and between now and the next general elections, watch the DDI try at last to effect change.
What chances and change have you tried lately Kevin?
Would you offended if someone else shot you down for even trying? No, I suspect not and you’d be right to be offended.
Everyone deserves a chance.
FF, FG and Labour have had their more times than a game of musical chairs in the Dail any decade.
NOW its time to at least try for further real change.
…At least some are trying first before and the during the continuing typical begrudging comes back into play.
Instead of knocking efforts from the start – how about you get out too and try making a new start evolve instead?
After all – its only your country too!
Biggins- by the end of this year, Ireland’s credit rating will be restored, the Troika will be out of our country, economic sovereignty will have been restored,our debt will have been transformed from an immediate threat to the sustainability of the state itself to a manageable, if unwelcome long term overhead. Unemployment will be decreasing, the national economy increasing. The difference between Fine Gael and DDI. DDI talk about change. Fine Gael make it happen.
For now .
Kevin
you really make me laugh ……………some of your comments are absolutely side splitting stuff ,
FG are killing the domestic economy
still advocating corporation tax fraud ,
widening the gap between rich and poor
trapping generations in a life of Debt ,
unemployment will not be increasing by any significant levels (other than due to people leaving )
if anything it will increase , as people have less to spend , more shops will close ,more people unemployed , more money needed for SW ,
perhaps if you where not singing out of enda’s arse you would actually see what is happening on the ground ,
because of the draconian bullying measures taken by the blueshirts , its families like my own that have to consider having 1 parent stay at home on a full time basis , because families like my own , can no longer afford to have 2 parents workings FACT .
Press Release 05 March 2013
Ben Gilroy will be running as our candidate in the Meath East By-Election
Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) wish to announce that Ben Gilroy will be running as
our candidate in the up-coming bi-election in Meath East. He is currently the party
leader and presided at the official launch of DDI as a new national political party in
November 2012, thus changing our status from a political organisation that supported
independent candidates at the last election.
Ben is a long time resident of Navan with a young family, and for many years ran his
own business in the town until the policies of the establishment political parties caused
such a huge loss of trade and ultimately his business.
Since then though Ben has been very busy helping families and businesses the length
and breadth of the country to defend their homes against banks and receivers. He was
instrumental in setting up the group ‘People for Economic Justice’ and is renowned for
his constitutional stands against county sheriffs, the videos of which have become viral
on the internet. Many families and businesses remain in their property today because
of Ben and this group fighting for the rights of the people against vested financial interests.
This despite all government efforts to make it easier for the banks’ to repossess.
For Ben, after so many years contributing to the economy as a self employed businessman
and then finding he was not entitled to any assistance, the subsequent worry for
his family’s future brought into focus that the country is very sick and something radical
is needed to fix it.
In the last five years we have seen the establishment political parties saddle the country
and the sovereign people with an odious debt, which is probably illegal under international
law. Subsequently we have seen austerity measures imposed including pay
cuts, cuts to welfare, pensions and carers allowances, massive job losses, tax and levy
increases, as well as huge increases in fuel costs that are causing people to literally die
of cold. The desperation around the country is so apparent that from official figures
alone two people every week are taking their own life, however the figures if properly
recorded would show a much bigger tragedy. This scandal has been swept under the
carpet by the establishment parties to their shame.
We also have the return of the scourge of mass emigration seeing the best and brightest
talent leaving in their hundreds of thousands. It may massage the unemployment
figures for the government but it is dire for the country’s future prospects as the skilled
We want to move away from the system that masquerades as democracy in this country.
It is a system run only by the few that sit at the cabinet table and it uses the party whip to
completely nullify the views of all the other TDs and those they purport to represent. In effect
voting for anyone under a party whip system is a wasted vote because these TDs do
as they are told by the most influential handful of members at the top of the cabinet table.
What we actually have is a quasi dictatorship with no accountability and no recourse for
the people during the government’s tenure. Hence any corporate or geopolitical body
who can exert influence on those top three or four at the cabinet table therefore dictate
Irish national policy. This is wrong and at DDI we plan to end the whip system.
Ireland has for too long been ruled by family dynasties in the three main parties, keeping
control of the country in the hands of a close nit political class. The lure of the gravy train
of high salaries, expenses, pensions and ‘jobs for the boys’ makes for career politicians
who may not be in it for the right reasons. This is not a monarchy or a royal court. We are
supposed to be a Sovereign Republic and DDI believe this situation must be changed to
attract people into politics who are in it for the good of the country and future generations
and not for themselves.
For too long now we have seen the results of the concentration of power in the hands of
a few in the Dail and the terrible effects of their unaccountability, and now they wish to
remove the only counterbalance left against their power by abolishing the Senate. The
current political class has failed again and again and the cycle can only be broken when
people stop voting for the failed policies and broken promises of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and
Labour and their junior partners, and start to vote for a radical change that ousts these
dinosaurs of political thinking. It is time to insist on the power returning to the people with
direct democracy as the founders of this state always intended to be. Only then will we
have an honest, stable government and economic and environmental policies that shift
the balance in favour of the people and the country’s future.
That text above has some missing,
go to the link to see full text
http://directdemocracyireland.ie/press-release-ben-gilroy-to-stand-in-meath-bi-election/
or join on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/directdemocracyireland
TL;DR
Has to be time for change? Anyone except FF, FG or Labour? Why not Ben Gilroy and DDI? Time for change!
Yes.., anyone except FF, FG and Labour.
They have failed us repeatedly in the past.
Are failing us in the present and will continue failing us in the future if given the chance.
We have to stop voting these egits back in.!!
Time for change alright:
Vote Ben Gilroy for DDI
Best of luck to Ben Gilroy. Direct Democracy is the way to go. Swiss voting system for Ireland. DI all the way.
DDI for me..not a hope of ever voting them other fools ever again!!!!!
Who?
Direct Democracy Ireland Look them up ;)
http://directdemocracyireland.ie/
Is that the best you can come up with David. Playing the sympathy vote and creating another dynasty.
I vote in Meath east. I regrettably voted FG the last time. Won’t make that mistake again
Same here Paul and like you I won’t be falling for their sh#t this time. I’m gonna give Ddi a shot they can’t be any worse than the other shower. Although I’d love to here their stance on law and order.
I’ll be happy with anyone other than Fianna Fáil taking this seat. Scary to think they’ve edged ahead as the largest party in recent polls. For a constituency so damaged by their reckless property market policies, I hope they see sense not to give them a vote.
I hope their short-term memory is up to scratch too Fiona and they don’t vote Fine Gael either, or should I say Continuity Fianna Fáil.
Whats that Kevin – SF have committed crimes?! Hope you went to the police and made a complaint.
No Kevin. I think it’s high time that Ireland faced up to what caused the Troubles. Inaction and indifference from the 3 main parties in 26 counties to your fellow Irish men and women being discriminated and killed in the 6 counties. War is ugly but the 3 parties in 26 counties would like to drag it out.
just the other day your were giving out about the criminals that were SF now you dont mind if they’re elected?? which is it fiona?
Fiona.
FF are hoping to be able to destroy the economy for a 5th time in 50 years. There will be no shortage of hoods, fools and tribal thinkers that will back them to do that.
Ann- I think you’ll find some of them have served some time already. Some indeed for murdering Gardai as I recall. Until Gerry & Martin lobbied to have them released, of course. Irish patriots that they are.
Ben Gilroy is the only candidate who will represent YOU and YOUR interests. Please stop voting for these other clowns who have proven time and again that they can’t be trusted. Give Direct Democracy Ireland a chance.
So an already senator with his earned pensions and perks is looking to further his nest by gaining even more by taking up A TD seat now as well?
…Either that or once again we see a person elected because of the family name? What cronyism, what proctorial small minded thinking!
…And people (sheep) wonder why some things don’t change?
Good luck to the DDI and Ben Gilroy!
Or getting back his seat? Jesus.
At least the bye-election is being held in a timely manner, not like when Pearse Doherty had to take FF to court over the failure to hold one in Donegal.
Not relevant really. Do you want them to get some kind of award?
FF would have been in court anyway, nearly every week there is some ex-TD or Cllr of that party in legal difficulties. The common theme is financial fraud. They really are some bunch of jokers, denying the right to vote is only a small thing for them.
Not to mention a certain ex ff politician in court for trying to have a Garda an customs man plugged… But shhhhh were not allowed name names even tho it’s all over rte.
Irish Mule. That fellow in Cork had no chance he grew up in a party culture where a party man could do no wrong, the bigger and more audacious the crime the louder the clap when he spoke at a FF ard fheis.
He has, as have we, seen countless FF reps and members get aways with slap on the wrists, if they are even charged. He’ll still get preferential treatment whatever happens. The FF network still looks after their own.
Ben Gilroy has been announced as the official candidate of @Direct Democracy Ireland
https://www.facebook.com/notes/direct-democracy-ireland/ben-gilroy-will-be-representing-direct-democracy-ireland-in-the-meath-east-by-el/480566652008262
Ordinary folk don,t have representation in fail eireann ,
DDI are going to be the voice if the voiceless time for democracy to rise again …..
About time too a new fresh lot came along.
…Not more of the same like the once PD’s and other breakaway groups that just consisted of the old political guard.
No mention of DDI…..why?….
Its the media after all Haha
ben gilroy all the way! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mspzKgDoWGI
Come on Journal,be fair for once.DDI deserve a mention,as they are standing for the people,unlike the others;just for their pockets.
look up about ddi it seems right!! time for change……
I would like to see Ben Gilroy been given a shoot at politics. We need a representative who will at least make a stand for the people. Vote in the same shower and we will simply get the same policy’s and spin. Political reform is a must.
Best of luck to Ddi they should at least get a chance in d dail and if their crap don’t re-elect them. Would love to see them get a chance.
Whoever has the backing of the Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes should do very well.
It’s surely time that someone strong enough to make real change for the better rather than Fianna Fail or Continuity Fianna Fail who have inflicted misery on the people they supposedly represent…and that man is surely the DDI’s Ben Gilroy. Aside from that, is it not totally irresponsible of the people around her to even suggest that a lady run for office which by its very nature will lead to criticism that her unfortunate father couldn’t handle!
Good luck to the DDI.
Ken ,Her Father was a Gentleman,but was forced to go against his own morals,and let down his constituents,all because of the Party whip system.Its no good making promises to the local electorate,only to be voted against by your own party.This whip system has to go,and thats what DDI want to do,so every TD will have a voice for the people
Dermot, I can only presume that her father was a gentleman. But I think its time that people like him who were elected to represent the people who voted for them should stand by their constituents rather than meekly vote with what most people know to be an elitist regime who are far removed from the sheer hardship that they are imposing by forcing our people to pay an unjust debt. As far as I’m concerned this isn’t real democracy. Is it not totally irresponsible of the people around his daughter to allow her to continue with this policy which is irreparably damaging our people and our country. It will surely lead to severe and justified criticism of her and the elitist regime that she would be part of. And the real question then is – would she be better able to handle this criticism better than her late father did?
good luck BEN
good luck to Ben Gilroy , and the DDI party ,this country is awash with corruption, its past talking time , vote for change,
Fair and balanced journalism.? No mention of DDI and Gilroy… Shame on you journal staff…
In fairness to the Journal Ben had not been officially announced so they couldn’t just presume.
Journal has printed a positive DDI article before now and I am sure they will again now they have the information
The people of Meath need to send the
Goverment a strong message vote them out,
No to Fianna Geal, Labour (and Fianna Fáil.)Any one else but these!
Voted Fine Geal and Labour last time
Never again.
Why not give these lads a shot Damien ;) http://directdemocracyireland.ie/
time for change,time to vote for a party that puts the people first,not the fat pay n pensions,DDI n Ben,come on meath east show the country we have had enough
Ben Gilroy, DDI. Direct Democracy Ireland. Give him a chance to work for you. He has been helping families for years to keep their homes & not be intimidated by corrupt banks & unconstitutional Sheriffs who throw families/people out of their homes, who are protected under our constitution, Article 41.1.1.
Literal English Translation of Article 41.1.1
The State acknowledges that the Family is the basic primary group-unit of/for society according to nature, and that it is a moral institution which has inalienable invincible rights which are more ancient and higher than any human statute.
ENGLISH TEXT.
The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.
Don’t spread these lies around.
Ben hasn’t helped anyone, and in fact he’s left a string of traumatised people behind him.
But hey, free publicity, so… why stop?
The freeman crap he’s spreading is a big fat con. In fact that same con is regularly prosecuted in the US.
Darren O’Rourke is your only man. Young, bright, committed and honest. Excellent track record and most importantly part of a real alternative to tweedle dum and tweedle dee. Stand up for yourselves Meath East. Vótail SF.
Gerry Adams was the best thing since sliced bread in the eyes of many (not including me). He was going to do the world when he got into the Dail. What did he do? Cat got his tongue? He does nothing. Wears sharp suits alright, that’s not a great help to anyone. Pearce Doherty, great speaker. What does he do though? Nothing. Mary Lou, awesome, great speaker. What does she do? Nothing. SF are window dressing. They never do, and never will do, anything substantial. SF should and could be disrupting the Dail every single day, making it unworkable, forcing FG and FF before them to act differently. Republicans? Yeah right. What definition of republican are they using? Not the one Tone used that’s for sure. He must be spinning in his grave at these pathetic sell outs, same as Pearce and all the dead patriots.
Darren O Rourke may be a great guy, but he won’t do anything either. It’s all a big pantomime with these guys. Nothing is going to change unless the people of this country have the final say on what occurs in the country. That can be achieved by reintroducing provisions for direct democracy. When we the people can call a referendum on any matter and decide ourselves what happens in this country the crimes perpetrated over the past years can be reversed and we can finally grow up as a country and stop giving away our power to corrupt liars.
Ben Gilroy is the only candidate in this election who intends to do this. DDI all the way! http://www.directdemocracyireland.ie
Darren is a nice lad alright,but he will have to follow the party whip,which in turn,gives him no voice at all.so anything you ask Darren to do,will all be futile,because he will have to do as he is told.DDI want to abolish this silly stupid,old fashioned whip system altogether.We need change here fast,as they are destroying the country.Our kids up to their arses in debt,we were to exit the bailout programme this year,now its been extended,so more lies again.It has to stop,so we should give DDI a chance
Finally my vote might equal a say in this country like many I feel a disconnect with politics and the elite that run the show here.representative democracy is dead here parties manifestos bear no resemblance to the programs for government cobbled together by these same parties in their frenzy to grab power.Look at the same people turning up Noonan minister for health when women were given infected blood products and waited for them to die before he’ld compemsate them good look to those magdalene women getting proper recompense.Direct Democracy Ireland no. One and only vote.
You overestimate how good democracy is.
As you should be able to tell, it’s not working very well.
Any normal party except FF would do.
I give up Patrick
Give me a clue??
Frank SF/APÉ not being a normal party.
For decades no we the ppl of this fine nation have fed crap and lies by the same parties over and over again. These ppl have only their selfish agendas and do not care one bit about you me or this land. Time for change and DDI is that change.
Need a Meath Ming
ben gilroy
has to be ben gilroy folks,change is needed badly in the way our political system operates, a corrupt,abused to the hilt cash cow for the politcal dynasties that rule our country to suit themselves, and their bulging pockets, jobs for the family and relatives and conflicts of interest while representing us, they are backed and bankrolled by the rich and elite of our society and that is the interests they look after in the dail, time a message is sent to these gangsters in suits
Side point. How is Nobber in Meath East?
I hear it’s doing well.
Ben Gilroy and DDI :)
I hope that people keeps a good close eye on the ballot boxs,who knows they could they fixed. After all they lie somewhere over night,you dont know if they get tampered with or not?
Haha are you joking the gardai will be minding the boxes over night and after what fg/labour/ff have done to us I don’t think we’d let anyone tamper with boxes…
DDI haven’t a hope. That is why they weren’t mentioned. Hope they beat the Shinners though.
Record Red Thumbs on the way …………
They may not win this one Dave. But the future is a different thing….
DAVE FF WONT HAVE MUCH CHANCE LOL
Nobody is reading down this far. I think they are fed up reading about this dd whatever band wagon.
The first act is to make people aware that the DDi exists now as an alternative choice.
Build upwards on that information getting out over the next two years and a credible new way can be possible – or at least the public have more choice.
That cannot be bad thing – and even if some fail, opposition snapping at the heels of mis-doers helps to keep shifty elected reps’ further down the path of straight and narrow more so!
cormac ur just ff to the back bone going by your profile picture lol
No I am not FF anymore. My intention by using this as my profile pic is to remind everybody that mehole Martin was so far up berties arse it was hard to know where one started and the other ended. The people need to be constantly reminded. They forget easily. Sorry for the confusion. I may need a clearer example.
Direct Democracy Ireland is ALL about the people, the sick,the old, the young, the deprived, the homeless , funny that, that’s everything our present shower aren’t. Ben Gilroy is the vocal represent ive, the people will be the leaders.
One thing that a big vote for FF will do is allow Noonan and Kenny to go to the Troika and say give us a good deal or the gangsters in FF will be back in and it will be a return to Ministers turning up at EU meetings reeking of drink, corruption, spending and eventual economic collapse again.
Good luck Ben . You have my vote
Best of luck Ben! Bring some fairness to the game! Cheers!
With a bit of luck, the Louth Branch will be up and running shortly soon if I can help it!
http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011&cons=731
That was how it panned out last time so a fair swing away from FG is required.
I don’t think the current government are up to much but having taken a look at the DDI web site, will it not just be a bunch of Healy-Rae types in Dail Eireann not able to agree on anything. What a mess! Actually worse than what we have now. Where will the money come from?
Really Lisa? Healy-Rae types? Explain….
Lisa, you have to read what the DDI site says, looking at it wont give you an understanding of anything.
Ben Gilroy is an honest man, this country is in desperate need for change and DDI will bring that fresh breath of air..
use your heads and vote for DDI… best of luck Ben.
If ever a country was at a crossroad, Ireland is now
Keep voting for yesterdays men, and it will remain at the crossroad, forever bleeding, getting knocked down from four different routes
Change is never easy, but time is not on Ireland’s side, A new direction,fresh minds,vitality, we must leave Ireland better than we find it, leave it for the younger generations to come
We have failed Ireland, we have failed our past generations , those who give all, we all share a responsibility , lets make amends . VOTE FOR CHANGE , VOTE FOR A NEW BEGINNING, VOTE BEN GILROY
VOTE BEN GILROY THE REST ARE A FKING JOKE
have your say