ANALYSIS: Recent protests may come back to haunt Roscrea’s candidates, but help one of Templemore’s

In the past few years, the Roscrea-Templemore Local Electoral Area has seen its fair share of protests. 

Most recently, the protests at the Racket Hall in Roscrea reverberated around the country.

The rights and wrongs are still murky but the division in the community is clear.  And whether anyone meant to, political lines have been drawn. 

Sitting councillor Shane Lee was at the centre of the original protests, giving speeches outside the hotel and defending the local demonstrators against accusations of bigotry and racism. 

He has since maintained the protestors were misunderstood and has criticised the gardaí’s handling of the protests.

His colleague, Cllr Michael Smith, came under fire for his stance that immigration is a good thing and those fleeing war and persecution are and should be welcomed.

He said for this, he received “vicious messages” and was attacked verbally on social media.

A couple of months later, the Tipperary Anti-Racism Network was formed as a counter-movement.

They held a peace rally in March in the town centre of Roscrea where they condemned the protests and laid the blame for the whole mess at the feet of “decision makers”.

Fianna Fáil’s Local Election candidate Deirdre Ryan, Labour’s candidate Jordan Lewis and Sinn Féin’s Brendan O’Conchuir all spoke at the rally.

Meanwhile in Templemore, the 2022/2023 Garda Pool protests have had completely different implications for this year’s election. 

Newcomer Deirdre Ryan is a mother and psychotherapist who spearheaded the campaign to restore access to the Garda College’s pool for the children of Templemore from 2022 up to now.

Ms Ryan and a group of locals staged a very successful protest that saw hundreds march through Templemore town to the college to demand the restoration of the Friday night children’s swimming lessons. 

CAPTION: Deirdre Ryan speaking to the crowd at the swimming pool protest outside the Garda College in Templemore in October 2022

The demonstration drew national attention and was supported by Tipperary TDs and councillors across the political divide. 

But, it would seem it was Fianna Fáil who saw a rising star in the chaos.

Ms Ryan announced in September last year she would run in the 2024 Local Elections under their banner. 

The protests did not restore the Friday night lessons. However, because of the campaign, some children from the town do have access to the pool through the local schools. 

Elections are tricky things, much like public perception. None of this guarantees or rules out a candidate’s chances of winning a seat. 

But, the issues that matter most to people in Roscrea and Templemore have been well voiced. 

People power comes in all shapes and sizes and is alive and well in the LEA. 

Candidates from all sides, and convictions would do well not to forget it.