South Ireland Candidate Eddie Punch has posters torn down in Waterford
Punch's posters were taken down in Dunmore East
European election candidate Eddie Punch has expressed his disappointment after his poster was taken down in Waterford.
On Friday, May 10, it was discovered that one of his election posters had been removed in Dunmore East.
Mr Punch is running for election under the Independent Ireland party. He is General secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA)
He said: “I realise that other candidates may well have the same experience as myself between now and June 7 but I would appeal to whoever has removed and dumped election signage over the past week to think twice before doing so again. Please, just leave the signs where they are."
“For all candidates, especially in a vast 10-county constituency like Ireland South, signage plays an important role in establishing recognition with voters, all the more so when you’re a first-time candidate like I am.
“Logistical considerations and time management make posters essential for a European election campaign and I have been as strategic as I can in placing my signage, adhering to regulations and the permission of landowners where applicable, as was the case when it came to the swiped sign near Dunmore East.”
Mr Punch added: “My election slogan, as featured on my poster, states: ‘There’s More To Ireland Than Dublin’, a message that will resonate deeply with the people of Waterford, who have been disregarded by the political establishment for far too long.
“I passionately believe that our country needs to be successful in every county and that balanced regional development is more critical now than ever.
“For example, instead of Dublin Airport further expanding, I would like to see a counterbalance created by increasing traffic into and out of Shannon, Cork and Farranfore Airports. Repeated calls to restore Waterford Airport as a regional gateway for commercial flights, a campaign which has been waged locally for almost 20 years, should also be fully supported. Waterford and the South East deserves better.”
