Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness gets an unexpected electioneering lift courtesy of local man Francis Meehan during her party’s canvass of Monaghan Town centre last Thursday.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar looks on approvingly at the chosen mode of conveyance while local election candidate Barra Flynn and Cavan/Monaghan TD Sean Conlan pause in their trawl of Monaghan voters to enjoy the light-hearted moment.
Ms McGuinness is bidding to retain her European seat for her party in the sprawling Midlands North West constituency – a 16-county trek on which some pedal power would no doubt come in extremely useful.
The urbane Minister Varadkar pressed the flesh with aplomb during his visit to the county to launch the Fine Gael campaign for the local government elections, which coincide with the European poll on Friday, May 23.
The itinerary for the Minister and the MEP also took in visits to Clones and Ballybay – full coverage of their time in the county appears inside. Before his visit to Co Monaghan, the Transport Minister performed the official opening of a €61 million by-pass project in Belturbet, Co Cavan.