26 March 1998 Edition
Returning Officer refutes Attwood
The Electoral Returning Office for Cavan/Monaghan has denied claims by the SDLP's Alex Attwood that there was electoral malpractice in the constituency in the June 1997 general election.
In the wake of a House of Commons Committee discussion of alleged electoral malpractice in the Six Counties Attwood went on RTE's Morning Ireland on 24 March to accuse Sinn Féin of vote-rigging. His comments were challenged on air by SF Belfast City Councillor Alex Maskey but Attwood went on to allege malpractice in Cavan/Monaghan. The Returning Officer for Cavan/Monaghan Tom Owens immediately contacted the programme and a statement from him was read out to the effect that there had not been a single complaint or query about the outcome of the election. No party complained of electoral malpractice.
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin, who topped the poll in the constituency last June, said he was ``astounded and outraged by the SDLP spokesperson's claim of widespread vote-stealing in Cavan/Monaghan''. Deputy O Caoláin said:
``Alex Attwood's comments are a slight on all parties and all candidates in Cavan/Monaghan. No party, no candidate, successful or unsuccessful has made any such claim in Cavan/Monaghan. On the contrary, we have all acknowledged the fair campaign of all the contestants. Alex Attwood's begrudging attitude to Sinn Féin's electoral success clearly knows no bounds.''
In the wake of a House of Commons Committee discussion of alleged electoral malpractice in the Six Counties Attwood went on RTE's Morning Ireland on 24 March to accuse Sinn Féin of vote-rigging. His comments were challenged on air by SF Belfast City Councillor Alex Maskey but Attwood went on to allege malpractice in Cavan/Monaghan. The Returning Officer for Cavan/Monaghan Tom Owens immediately contacted the programme and a statement from him was read out to the effect that there had not been a single complaint or query about the outcome of the election. No party complained of electoral malpractice.
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin, who topped the poll in the constituency last June, said he was ``astounded and outraged by the SDLP spokesperson's claim of widespread vote-stealing in Cavan/Monaghan''. Deputy O Caoláin said:
``Alex Attwood's comments are a slight on all parties and all candidates in Cavan/Monaghan. No party, no candidate, successful or unsuccessful has made any such claim in Cavan/Monaghan. On the contrary, we have all acknowledged the fair campaign of all the contestants. Alex Attwood's begrudging attitude to Sinn Féin's electoral success clearly knows no bounds.''