An unsuccessful local elections candidate, who previously ran a pub business in Castleisland, has told how many people he encountered during his campaign cried openly at the doorsteps as they told him of the daily hardships they have to endure.
By John O’Mahony www.killarneytoday.com
Brian McCarthy said he met many voters who were in turmoil because they struggled with mortgage repayments and other serious matters that caused them great pain and distress.
“So many cried and poured out their unique and broken hearts at the door. Tears flowed at many doors,” he said.
The 43-year-old home help said some people he encountered were unable to feed their children and many others were facing eviction from their homes.
Mr McCarthy, who polled 383 first preference votes in the Killarney electoral area, which encpmpasses Castleisland, also encountered what he described as “age old complaints” about sewage, roads, charges and taxes despite sitting councillors and TDs in the area being aware of the problems for years.
Mr McCarthy also admitted that the number of votes he secured has left him “wounded”.
“I will learn from this harsh lesson in what is a blood sport,” he remarked.
“Those I hear daily bitching and moaning about what is going on in the country will have to fall on deaf ears as they voted in almost exactly the same as we have before,” he said.
“Parish pump politics beat me 15 times over and I am drained of the much required energy required to fight back against a cruel system,” Mr McCarthy added.
