by Evelyn Cullen
FIANNA Fáil’s Charlie McConalogue has said that he is grateful to the people who voted for him and is relieved to have retained his seat in the Dáil so that he can continue his work for the people of Donegal, despite heavy online abuse he said was targeted against him during his election campaign.
It was a particularly difficult campaign for the man from Gleneely in North Inishowen, now living in Burt, who has served as Minister for Agriculture and the Marine since September 2020.
It was particularly difficult during the last few weeks of the campaign as he faced “a headwind of abuse” of the kind he had never seen before.
The abuse was carried out mainly online and consisted of offensive, personal comments directed at him, encouraging people not to vote for him.
“Given that, I’m grateful for the people who did come out and vote for me, I’ve held my vote since the last election,” he said.
“And I’m thankful to the strong network of hardworking people who went out and canvassed for me on the doors on the wet and cold evenings”.
Minister McConalogue has been a TD since 2011, is married to Jackie and they have two sons aged five and eight.
“It’s been difficult for the people around me including my family and my supporters, but I’m a fairly robust individual myself.
“We have managed to stay focused on our key message which is to stay in government and continue the work we started to deliver better services for the people of Donegal,” he said.
“The defective blocks scheme is the issue I’ve worked hardest on and I will continue to do so. My key objectives are focused on bringing Donegal forward by securing investment in health and housing as well as in the agricultural services, fisheries and harbours through my own ministry” he said.
“As a party we’re in a strong position now with two seats for Donegal, and we want to ensure that Donegal is benefiting from a strong national economy.
“It’s also crucial for the county to have influence at government level by having a minister at the cabinet table, and I’m committed to stepping up to the plate again,” he said.
He said he is also keen to engage young people and he enjoyed the debates he attended with the students of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Loreto Community School, Milford.
Mr McConalogue was elected with Charles Ward from the 100% Redress Party on the 16th count after a tight battle with Thomas Pringle who lost out.
Mr McConalogue received more first preference votes than Ward, however, Ward gained steadily on him as the count progressed from transfers.
The count finished with Ward on 11,714 votes and Mr Conalogue 31 votes behind on 11,683.
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