Cork local election candidates complain of theft and vandalism of posters

A NUMBER of election candidates in Cork have complained that they are seeing an increase in theft and vandalism of posters.

Fine Gael councillor Shane O’Callaghan, who is running for re-election in the Cork City South-Central ward, said he believed considerably more posters had been stolen in this election than in previous campaigns.

“A lot of my own posters have gone missing. I know that the ESB has removed some posters, but I also know that a lot of posters which weren’t on ESB poles have gone missing, and not just posters of mine,” he said.

“I had an 8’x4’ poster on Frankfield Hill coming down in the direction of the Kinsale Road Roundabout, talking about delivering a second traffic lane down into the Kinsale Road Roundabout, and the eyes were cut out of that.

“We actually found the eyes a couple of weeks later and glued them back on and the week after that the entire 8’x4’ poster went missing,” he said.

“It’s not just happening to me, it’s happening to candidates from other parties, and to Independents, in this and other wards.” Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Martin, who is also standing for re-election in Cork City South-Central, said “over 100” of his posters had been taken in the first week but he was “philosophical” about it.

“It’s part and parcel of every campaign and there’s always individuals who will remove posters,” the former lord mayor said.

Asked about the financial cost of stolen posters, Mr Martin said it was significant but he doubted he would get much sympathy.

“You’ll be accused of sour grapes if you say anything, so I’m philosophical about it at this stage. I just get on with it.” 

Labour Party councillor John Maher, who is running for re-election in Cork City North-East, said over 40 of his posters had disappeared.

“I always say that if people have the energy to be removing posters, why don’t they use that energy for something positive and get involved?

“Get involved in Meals on Wheels, get involved in Tidy Towns, get involved in the local community. Run for office,” he said.

Green Party councillor Colette Finn, running for re-election in Cork City South-West, said it had not been a significant issue for her.

“I only have 65 posters, and I know my daughter said one of them had disappeared, but that was all,” Ms Finn said.

People Before Profit-Solidarity councillor Brian McCarthy, who is running for re-election in Cork City North-West, said “only a handful” of his posters had been taken.

Cork County Council Labour Party candidate Evie Nevin, who is running in Skibbereen, said a number of her posters had been stolen and one was slashed and kicked over.

“Slashing up a poster feels quite sinister, but it just tells me that someone is worried that I am doing well. I won’t be deterred and I am focused on getting to as many doors as possible until election day,” she said.

Rabhartas councillor Lorna Bogue, running for re-election in Cork City South-East and as a European candidate in Ireland South, said she had not experienced any issues in Cork.

“A few of my posters in Limerick had ‘traitor’ written on them,” she said.

A Sinn Féin source on the northside said the theft of posters had not been an issue for their candidates in this election.

A spokesperson for ESB Networks said the erection of posters on electricity poles is strictly prohibited.

“Attaching anything to electricity poles exposes you to the risk of electric shock, burns and falling from a height,” they said.

“Posters attached to poles have caused poles to catch fire and fall. It is never safe to interfere with electricity equipment.” 

They added that posters are brought back to the ESB Wilton depot where they can be retrieved by election candidates, but there is a charge per poster to cover their costs.