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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Wacky Irish presidential race gets even stranger -- murder, pedophiles,terrorists-- read all about it

Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 12:38 AM

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The wacky and weird Irish presidential race just got a whole Twilight Zone twist when the husband of Dana, alias Rosemary Scallon, a former gospel singer once based in America, claimed she had been the target of an assassination attempt.

Driving back to Dublin from the West of Ireland on Tuesday, a tire on the car blew out, and the couple narrowly escaped injury.

It was subsequently discovered the tire had fifteen knife puncture wounds and police were investigating and treating it as a crime.

Earlier in the campaign, Dana, who was running on a family values platform, became embroiled in a very sordid family feud when it was alleged by her sister based in Iowa, that Dana had covered up the sexual abuse of her sister's daughter by her brother. Lawyers have become involved in a very nasty situation.

Dana has slumped in the polls, not surprisingly. Meanwhile, David Norris, the gay senator who once led the polls by a handsome margin, has also taken a nose dive after letters he wrote defending his former Israeli-based lover convicted of statutory rape of a young Palestinian boy became public.

Norris tanked in the polls, withdrew and then, amazingly re-entered at the 11th hour.

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READ MORE:
Sean Gallagher under fire for Fianna Fail fundraiser, illegal loan

Martin McGuinness - the choice for Ireland’s presidential election

The Irish presidential campaign - last two men standing?
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Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland, also entered the contest with high hopes, but soon found himself confronted on several occasions by families of Irish police and army members killed by the IRA. The made-for-TV confrontations resurrected the bad old days when the IRA campaign caused great grief in the Irish Republic and he seemed to to be slumping in the polls.

Then there is the question of the health of Michael D. Higgins, former government minister and Labor Party luminary who has led the race since the Norris demise.

On several debates the 70-year-old Higgins has appeared tired and his hands have been shaking. This has led to speculation that he would have difficulty completing a seven-year term.

Meanwhile Gay Mitchell, the main government party candidate, has been so unimpressive on the stump that he will be lucky to breast the ten percent mark, some 30 points in popularity behind his party

With the favorites falling like ninepins, the unlikely beneficiary has been Sean Gallagher, a reality TV show star and businessman who was considered a 40 to one outsider when the race started. Young and vigorous, Gallagher has sent a strong American-type message of building business links and helping create jobs.

In the last poll he jumped an astonishing 18 points to lead the field by twelve with just a week left for campaigning.

But this has been a race so full of surprises, spectacular flameouts and now an alleged assassination attempt that no one is writing the final script just yet.

Dallas at its height would have nothing on this race!

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READ MORE:
Sean Gallagher under fire for Fianna Fail fundraiser, illegal loan

Martin McGuinness - the choice for Ireland’s presidential election

The Irish presidential campaign - last two men standing?
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13 Comments

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ironjustice | Nov 27, 2011, 09:41 AM EST

Speaking from experience , the auto would not have gotten out of the parking lot with fifteen knife cuts in the tire. I had a fella knife my tire and it went flat in an instant. ONE cut let alone fifteen ?

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abhainn | Oct 30, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT

Niall Dowd, you should check your facts if you don't want to make a fool of yourself in public. The statement, "the tire had fifteen knife puncture wounds" is untrue. Both the police and tyre manufacturer's experts determined that the cuts on the tyre were consistent with it having been driven on its rim after losing pressure in a blow-out. O'Dowd, don't be Scallon's secretary, dictating her statements without independently verifying the facts. A serious journalist would be sceptical of Scallon's colourful and grandiose claims and would prefer to root out the facts than yield to his inner tabloid hack.

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Ernesider | Oct 23, 2011, 01:28 PM EDT

It's such a wonderful presidential election and listening to Charlie Bird overly controlling a debate among the seven I was glued to the broadcast. Norris and McGuiness not only appear head and shoulders over the other five but their sense of humour and ability to give straightforward answers moved the audience to applause. Yes my Cavan neighbour is a cute hoor as John B. would say. I'm still extremely nervous about Mitchell and ...

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PaulFagan | Oct 22, 2011, 01:39 PM EDT

I heard on Irish Newstalk radio the remark that Martin McGuinness would have made a great negotiator for Ireland with the IMF/EU. I agree!

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cillowen | Oct 20, 2011, 06:57 PM EDT

McGuinness is Ireland - known throughout the world, friend of all the world's major players be they regarded friend or foe, the essence of diplomacy. Its the nature of things that one day America's buddy Sadam, their friend, and the next day they regarded him Satan. Gadaffi, friend to hero Mandela is another out of favor fellow who would't play ball. They'll be more of such friends of the good guys getting a cumuppence in time. The nature of sharks to feed as they do. Good guy McGuiness is an awesome choice for Prez of Ireland he has the backing of many of the heavy business hitters of this planet. We wont talk about the turkey portrayed in this article. Ooops good friend Pakistan is another with fall potential. Much once beloved Castro, their imagined put in the chambers replacement for tyrant Batista, surprized, wasn't having none of it.

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DanOLoingsigh | Oct 20, 2011, 06:56 PM EDT

Getting more depressed as this farce goes on...listened to MDH today, not very inspiring...don't think any of this lot will measure up.

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DublinCitizen | Oct 20, 2011, 05:09 PM EDT

Yes CitizenWhy Ireland is a country. It may not be perfect but which country is?

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CitizenWhy | Oct 20, 2011, 03:53 PM EDT

Is Ireland a country, or a satiric drama?

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RedBranch | Oct 20, 2011, 01:34 PM EDT

Good summary Niall, well done!

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muirisobric | Oct 20, 2011, 10:09 AM EDT

At long long last the truth willout. Murderers, pedophiles terrorists. About time

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Towngate | Oct 20, 2011, 06:07 AM EDT

Niall, a chara, oh dear! oh dear! ~ in your headline list you forgot to include 'dodgy editorials'!! Picture the scene; four adults in a medium sized car travelled for over a hundred miles before having to swerve to avoid a truck at 70 miles per hour (illegal speed in Ireland)and scuffs the kerb, ripping the tyre(tire) to shreds. "Call the Press Office! Tell them we've been attacked! Those fools will print anything!" ~ Well,honestly!! You manage to shed a negative light on all the others but imply Sean Gallagher had been free from scandal by not mentioning his life-long connection to the Fianna Fail Party and to its Executive body until February this year and various other matters of unpaid Government loans. This Party destroyed the hopes of the Irish people and Sean is hardly the man to re-assure them. I agree there have been so many twist and turns in this race, that it is hard to call,but your suggestion that Gallagher " ...has sent a strong 'American-type' message..." could be enough to freak his supporters and sink his chances!!

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aloistmartin | Oct 20, 2011, 03:32 AM EDT

Mock On Mock On Jefferson Monroe, The Irish Laugh and Prince Harry spews Belfast with Fire and Brimstone !

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BARNEYKX | Oct 20, 2011, 01:53 AM EDT

Ireland cannot afford a president,its just another carriage on the gravy train

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