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THE SIGNALS WERE there from early yesterday morning but it has been an absolutely disastrous weekend for Renua, one of Ireland’s newest political parties.
Lucinda Creighton’s party failed to win a single seat in the 32nd Dáil, with the leader losing her own mandate in Dublin Bay South along the way.
The former Fine Gael TD – who was on course for a seat at the Cabinet table before her departure over the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act – lost out to her old colleague Eoghan Murphy and his new running mate Kate O’Connell.
They will be joined in Leinster House – quite unexpectedly – by the Green Party’s Eamon Ryan and Fianna Fáil candidate Jim O’Callaghan.
The party had hoped to win 10 seats and ran 26 candidates in the 40 Dáil constituencies.
Tonight, its final realistic shots at a seat – in Billy Timmons and Terence Flanagan – were denied.
Timmons lost his seat in Wicklow, which has been in the family since 1969 bar a hiatus between 1987 and 1989.
Outgoing TD and former poll topper Flanagan was eliminated after count nine with just over 3,500 votes in Dublin Bay North.
Despite the drubbing at the polls, members have been resolute about Renua’s future. Creighton’s husband and party colleague Senator Paul Bradford told RTÉ Radio One this evening that the result did not signal the end.
His comments echoed those he made yesterday after conceding in Cork East. Citing the Green Party again, he said that it has managed to rejuvenate itself after being decimated in 2011, securing two seats on a shoestring budget this time out.
He said Renua is a long-term project and that they will continue with it.
If you believe in something… you must plough ahead. You have to climb mountains.
Creighton herself has been quiet today, not doing the media rounds. But she has been philosophical on her social media accounts.
Another silver lining? The party reached the 2% threshold for state funding, so if it does want to keep going, it will be a little more cash-rich in future elections.
The boo-ing she got when she entered the RDS with her family was shameful
Possibly a bit harsh, but when a public representative instead chooses to represent her own stance and not the constituents she supposedly represents, I can’t blame them for their anger. I think her non-election said enough though, booing unnecessary.
She wasn’t boo’d by constituents rather by the other politicians – bad show and displays lack of basic manners and graciousness
The very fact that an ex-TD from the opposition is being booed says a lot about what a poor politician she was.
I wasn’t aware it was politicians. Hard to say it was to be fair
It was people inside the RDS so likely they had some official connection with one party or another.
As for a public representative choosing to represent her own stance – do we not want them to stick by their principles?
Boo-ing. What a childish way to express yourself and so cowardly.
She was booed and jeered mostly by SF supporters, according to a Newstalk panel. Expect nothing less from the underclass.
Lorem, not at all. They’re a PUBLIC representative. And clearly we don’t want that, given how people chose not to vote for her.
Actually Newstalk said it was Fine Gael supporters categorically,caught out lying badly there Moderate Michael,tut tut.
She’s just not part of the gang!!! and she will not be having a few scoops after the tuff first day back in the Dail nor will she ever unless she changes her views and the views of her party
They said it was mostly SF supporters with some independents. Nothing About FG at all. Nice try to shift the blame though, Richard.
No they said it was Fine Gael supporters next to her,Sinn Féin & Independents were nowhere near when it was announced,yet you continue to lie,bizarre but not surprising,you’ve been caught out more times than we care to remember on TheJournal.ie
Go back to burying the bodies, Richard.
Sounds like the Enda Kenny mask came off someone’s blow-up doll!
Classy shinner underclass is classy.
Richard, back to burying the bodies of dead political dreams.. There’s a stack of dead political careers out the back of FGHQ as well if you’re up for it.
O look the FG trash is back on the journal.
Colm.. It’s as if they know something we don’t.. such as another election coming around the corner.
BOO
Boo and double boo
Boo hoo
@Richard Cheney. So what else is new. That FG hack has retailed lies for the entire of the campaign, and hasn’t had enough by the look of it.
SaltyBallz – she needs to learn – ‘CONFORM OR ELSE!’
I must admit I heard from several sources it was SF. I don’t know who it was, but I’d gain respect for any party that admitted it was their people and apologised
As for not representing her constituents, it’s reasonable for her to assume she was elected because of her values and to stick with those values accordingly. Also worth noting that Renua’s policy on abortion and other sensitive topics was to allow a free vote
Interesting that some of those booing shouted “you should have stayed in the party”.
How is that a bad day ? Alan Kelly re-elected, now that makes it a bad.
At least the people have told renua that extreme right wing catholic FG politics are redundant. Bye bye Renua
That’s a stupid comment. Right wing Catholic FG ? Doesn’t make sense. Look I respected their mandate. They were fighting for the middle class- look at tax back Ireland’s calculator and this party was giving you the most back in your pay packet compared to sing other party. They were also proposing a lot harsher sentences on repeat offenders. Economically they had some sound alternatives. Granted it would have been hard to roll out in a coalition but they were looking at positive change. It’s easy to throw out the tabloid slur about a party because you don’t believe in part with their manifesto but at least do your research.
Donnacha, the thing is,that “positive change” you speak of was only a positive change for people like Lucinda. Moronic GOP policies like a flat tax or a three strikes rule may play well among her right wing Catholic law society friends but there is just not enough of them to prevent her from becoming unemployed. February is too cold a month for this emperor’s new clothes.
Larry, what type of people like Lucinda? Such a harsh tone. Your whole comment says a lot, without actually saying anything. Which of her policies did you disagree with exactly? I can tell you an actual opinion, I liked her ideas on flat tax, her stance on getting people back to work, and I’m curious about how her policies on crime would work. I’m definitely against her policy on abortion. See Larry this is an actual opinion, not an ignorant “She’s crap, she deserves crap, Feb is crap”
Anyway, like her or hate her, I have to admire someone who is willing to give up so much for what she believes in. That’s the type of person I wish all politicians could be. Even if what she took a stand against I think is ludicrous.
Henry, I never said “Feb is crap” because I don’t as a rule use coarse language. What I did say was that ” …February is too cold….” but I’m sure you can find fault there too. Your opinion is that I have a “harsh tone” and you are of course entitled to your opinion as you seem to value your opinions very highly.
Where it says “post a comment” I put my comment which you then totally misquoted and for some reason mistook as an opinion.
You ask which of “her” policies did I disagree with, again I refer you to the above comment ; “Moronic GOP policies like a flat tax…a three strikes rule..”
You say you liked “her ideas” and “her stance”. That’s fine but she failed to convince enough voters that she had any value as a public representative and hence is now unemployed. That is not an “opinion” but it is a fact.
I notice Eddie Hobbs was pushed into the background after he alienated a huge swathe of the electorate with his anti-public service comments. And then you have Lucinda who is another days work altogether.
This is democracy in action. She had very specific views, put together a party to espouse those views and policies. They went to the polls and were overwhelmingly rejected by the Irish people. I respect anyone who throws their hat in the ring but they badly missed the mark and should now go away gracefully.
No chance of that……..
@Daniel – Why should they go away? They have only just begun. I think 2% is pretty ok for a brand new party.
Hey Daniel she is perfectly within her democratic right to run again in 2021 if she wants., This is a democracy.
They won’t go away as she is now “entitled” to approx €200,000 in party funding from the state (until the next election anyway).
Ha ha (said in the voice of Nelson Muntz)
Her and her parties extremist views were rejected by the public, no huge shock for me.
What “extremist” views did she have?
Their idea for a student loan system similar to the UK? Or their basic income for everyone? I didn’t agree with all their ideas but I think it’s sad that those ideas won’t even be in the mix anymore.
Any party that follows Vatican doctrine ahead of the well-being of Irish women shouldn’t be let near a seat in Dáil Éireann,maybe they didn’t pray hard enough.
Do you think it’s possible to have pro-life views and be unaligned to any religious group. Why reference the Vatican in your response ? Does that make you feel better about yourself .
99% of anti-choice people are religious and that instruction comes from the Vatican,I know more feel better about stating that fact than I do about saying tomorrow is Monday. Sorry you got butt-hurt by the truth.
Victor. No, not impossible for secular people to be pro foetus. But very very very rare.
Richard please shut up you idiot. They are not a Jesus party!
What about her view on parents doing time for children misbehaving ? That’s what a juvenile justice system should deal with !
Not that rare, Alfonso. The Hippocratic Oath contains a prohibition on abortion and it predates the supposed birth of Jesus Christ by centuries
Paul she was pro life but her party had a pro choice minority. Sortof like Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
There’s no room for a Jesus Freaks Party in this country,she is 60 years too late. She was also one of the most obnoxious and horrid TD’s to wag their finger and look down at the electorate with contempt during the Lisbon & Fiscal Treaty referendums. Oh of course Lucinda told us everything would be just dandy if we voted Yes to both. She’s lucky she was only boo-ed,poor madam.
I’m delighted she lost her seat, as I am with any public representative who refuses to represent the public.
At least she’ll have her ministerial pension to fall back on for the next 50 years!
Bad day for her – Great day for the country!
I especially feel for her , being boo- ed in a centre where the count is going on , where everyone there is involved or has an interest in politics is very low
Oh dear what a pity never mind, I wonder if she can take the hint?
I am going to have to stop laughing…the voltarol is wearing off…She is no loss at all……
She reaped what she sowed. Now she can sow and knit and make sandwiches in her 1950′s style home. Now. So there.
Sad really . she’s a good person.She should have got a seat.
I’d get her a seat – on a slow boat to China!
She’s a stooge for catholic extremists and the Iona Institute and voted in favour of a multitude of measures that hammered the weak in Irish society. I’m always amazed at how ‘pro-life’ people have no problem with her slashing services for children who are actually alive when she was a commandant in Fine Gael.
I agree. Pro-lifers will travel for hours to get to an anti reproductive rights rally but would they do it to protest government cuts in child benefit or for the kids living in horrible conditions across our country tonight. I doubt it and that is why decent people rejected Renua.
Lisa I’m a pro-lifer.but I won’t push my views on anyone . it’s their choice to carry on with the pregnancy or not.but I’ll ask you a question,let’s say a woman has an a abortion because it doesn’t fit in with her life/career.they will say it’s not a life..but a couple of years later all is good in their life..suddenly they tell their partner after a month of u know what.they she is pregnant..expecting. .
The immature booing and heckling from the hard-left is symptomatic of their complete antipathy towards alternate voices. It’s aggressive and fascist and has no place in Irish politics or Irish society.
I’m afraid that’s the country and indeed continent we’re living on. Surrounded by illiberal liberals. If you don’t tow the leftist agenda and dare to question their pillars you are to be pilloried and shouted down.
Brian,it was actually Fine Gael booing Lucinda,they are still sore over her leaving the party. Also it’s a well established and researched fact that those with a right-wing inclination are generally slower in the brain and unable to think independently,examples would be Donald Trump and George Bush Jnr. If it weren’t for left voters we’d still be living in caves and cheerleading our slave masters.
@Dick – After reading your comment I feel I have to reiterate that you are a true leftist idiot.
I find Bradford’s comparison with the Green Party odious. The Green Party by coming in under 2% lost all state funding and don’t accept corporate donations. The Creighton family business; Ruinua will get state funding and for that reason alone will have a brass plate status until the next election when it will disappear forever.
Lucinda was a breathe of fresh air. The only person to offer a proper and fair form of taxation. Never seen before here in Ireland. I respect her for a lot of things she has done. A brave woman. Unfortunately, with so
much negative campaigning, FG and FF supporters had to look after their own.
So it’s not her fault that she lost so badly. That’s the type of deflection required of a Ruinua candidate,maybe you should run.
Feel sorry for Lucinda and Renua – they actually have some interesting ideas, and provided something different to the center-left consensus of FG, FF, SF and Labour.
Unfortunately, those of a more economically liberal bent that would’ve considered giving them a vote, also want that allied with social liberalism, and I think the feeling that they were just a conservative off-shoot from FG harmed them.
They were just a conservative off shoot of FG.
Poor journalism. She never had a mandate from Dublin Bay South to lose. She was never given a mandate. She was voted in as a Fine Gael TD and gave up that mandate herself.
I admire her, great woman, – she will be back better and stronger than before.
Like Mary Hannifin……
@C O Neill – I totally agree. They are new and it will take time for their ideas to be taken on board by more of the electorate. They have great refreshing ideas but I think 2% is not bad for a brand new party.
Yeah 2% is great result : €200,000 in state funding for the party, but who will she invite?
Thankfully the electorate eradicated this backwardness. Though it may not stay away as recently proved with votes for other gombeens re-materialising.
This news makes me happy. She is an arrogant, self absorbed religious extremist who perceives herself as knowing what’s best for the people she purported to represent. Well, the reply from the electorate has been a resounding no thanks. The whole renua party look like a bunch of rejects who no one else wanted.
@Graeme – No she is not. Please shut up with your self righteous leftist rubbish!
To paraphrase Tallyrand, “extremism” is a matter of dates.
Thank god for that. The last thing we needed was Loopy Lucy and Hobb Knob.
Bit lost. What does a political party with no presence in government actually do? It’s a genuine question – Not sure why these guys would get funding.
Good poin
Good point. Cash cheques I suppose.
So they fail to get a single seat but qualify for State Funding?? What is that about?
She should have went independent, I admire her stance and convictions in what she believes. She will be back, better and stronger.
Yeah,her conviction when she voted for budgets that slashed funding for the most vulnerable in our society such as the elderly and disabled was incredibly admirable. FML.
This is a warning to any politician who goes against the public service do so at your peril The solution to all the public service problems is more money Also she is a Roman Catholic don’t want any Roman Catholics who are loyal to Rome in the Dail
“She should have went….”! Oh, please, please, my head!
Not a big fan but I know she put all her passion into this and hope she modifys some policies in the future and gains more support
So a different type of pandering might work………mmmm.
Burp
She’ll get another chance soon
One of the few bright spots in the whole day, I would have thought. Some small compensation for the re-election of so many appalling hacks, to include megalomaniac Kelly.
The People have said ,,,ReNoa
I’m Glad FG part 2 Got Nowhere
Check out Patrick McKee’s arrogant comments on the Midwife’s FB page. An absolute ars€hole with appears to think he is above having respect for anyone. Delighted they were put in their place.
I disagree with her politics (except getting rid of whip system which the Social Democrats also want to do, and the three strikes policy which I support and the SDs don’t). But I am also totally opposed to the boorish and yes – sexist – way in which female politicians get treated to in this country. Harney was constantly subjected to it too over her weight. Lets disagree without being vicious.
@Rosa she was Minister for Health and 6 stone over weight.. It was always going to happen.
The elephant in the room.
Fine Gael leading
Fine Gael leading is a bad influence on people’s day to day living . !!!
Pity. Because what this country really needed was a party to the right of Fine Gael
When she left FG upon a principled, personal stance, many admired her as an illustration of a principled politician (even those of us who absolutely disagree with her stance on the issue at hand), as it is a trait not generally recognised in Irish politicians. Then came Renua. With Eddie Hobbs. A well-publicised party launch. With no policies that told us what Renua stood for. We could assume, by simply remembering its very genesis, that it was not going to be a party that supported a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body. For the left-leaning, this new “alternative” party had already formed on the basis of a conservative Christian ideology. Then the people’s “economist” Eddie opened his trap and alienated the electorate with his smug, judgemental, opinions on the NERVE of the people living in a Capitalist society wanting to be paid a decent wage. Then the policies. The big one: 23% flat tax for all. You earn half a million? Pay 23% tax. You earn minimum wage? Pay 23% tax. She and her husband must really take the electorate for a bunch of deaf fools. In an age in which FF partially caused financial collapse and FG implementing a plan to resolve it that is arguably not the best answer in any case (Austerity), the electorate could ALREADY see the widening gap of income inequality. And that with a PROGRESSIVE tax system. And Renua thought so little of the public mind that we’d be blind to the fact that a 23% regressive tax plan would only worsen the gap between the haves and the have-nots? Renua an alternative to FF and FG? Yes. It’s MUCH further to the right than either of the centre-right parties. A mini-Irish version of the US’ GOP in the making. Renua got what it deserved.
For Sale; Watchdog Kennel, unused. Contact: Dail Eireann
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