Kate Walsh to decide this week on PD offer
CELBRIDGE, 29 January 2002: by Brian Byrne. Celbridge-based county councillor Kate Walsh is to make up her mind whether to run as a PD candidate in the coming General Election after a meeting with party leader Mary Harney TD this coming Wednesday.
Independent representative Walsh was first approached by the PD leader last October, and after mature consideration she says the party’s policies ‘attract me very much’.
“Besides, Mary Harney is a neighbour of mine, and I think she’s doing everything right politically,” Kate told KNN last night. “I’ve also been very encouraged by the support I’ve received locally for the idea, and from my colleagues in Kildare County Council.”
Cllr Walsh won 2,071 first preference votes in the 1999 local elections. The previous PD Dail contender in the constituency, Cllr Timmy Conway, won 2,101 first preferances in the last Dail election and was eliminated at the 2,351 votes mark.
In order to really get in the race, Kate Walsh will have to work hard in Naas, which has already a PD party ‘machine’ in place. The northern part of the county is fairly well sewn up by FF’s Charlie McCreevy along with running mate Paul Kelly, FG’s Bernard Durkan, and Labour’s Emmet Stagg.
©2002knn