Worth every cent
FF candidate spent € 14,000 of own money but failed to get elected
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SWORDS solicitor John Hennessy, who spent more than € 14,000 on his local election campaign during the summer, has said it was 'worth the money' as he got his message across.
The Fianna Fáil candidate, who was a surprise late entrant in the Swords ward, effectively spent € 15.37 for each of his 932 first preference votes after amassing election expenses of € 14,329, the highest in the Dublin North constituency. And what's more, his entire election budget came from his own pocket, with € 6,225 spent on publicity and advertising, € 5,361 on posters and € 2,242 on leaflets and literature.
'I was at a hell of a disadvantage in that I only had a three-week campaign,' Mr Hennessy told the Fingal Independent. 'You have to spend a lot of money to let people know you're even running.
'If I had the time again or a lengthy period of time, the same as the other candidates did, I would have spent a lot less, because there's no substitute for going around doors and telling people what you're about.
'It was worth the money and I am pleased I got my message across and people definitely responded to it. It was all my own money and it also went to local businesses, to local papers and printers.'
Fellow Fianna Fáil member, Cllr Darragh Butler, retained his seat after shelling out some € 12,995, the second highest total in Swords, 9,334 of which came from other sources, with € 5,410 going on posters alone.
Labour's Cllr Tom Kelleher retained his seat after spending 11,325, with € 8,325 coming from his own finances, while Fine Gael's Cllr Anne Devitt's € 10,922 tally was all from other sources.
Another returning councillor, Gerry McGuire of Labour, spent € 10,009, € 7,109 of which was his own money, while Fine Gael candidate, Bob Dowling, was the second highest spending unelected runner, with a total expenditure of € 6,722.
Perhaps the most interesting figures belong to Cllr Clare Daly, as the Socialist Party candidate topped the poll, while spending a relatively low € 2,426, just over half of which came from her own funds. Around the county, Malahide Cllr Alan Farrell (FG) was the second-highest overall spender, with an expenditure of € 13,923, while party colleague Cllr Tom O'Leary spent € 12,358 in the Balbriggan ward.
- Robin KIELY
