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Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, speaks to locals while canvassing with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines

Micheál Martin hasn't eaten a biscuit in 30 years and other insights from a canvass in Rathmines

The bike shed, rising rents, disability services and the cost of childcare were all raised with the Tánaiste and Jim O’Callaghan.

ELECTION CANVASSES CAN be revealing. 

Micheál Martin’s walkabout with Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines today was one such event that gave an insight into the lifestyle of the Fianna Fáil leader, who is a well-known health fanatic. 

He drinks green tea, he doesn’t eat chips or toast, and today we learned that he hasn’t eaten a biscuit in 30 years. THIRTY YEARS. 

Taking a tea break in The Pantry in the Swan Centre with his Dublin Bay South candidate, Martin chose a rhubarb crumble as his sustenance.

“Your healthy reputation will be going down the drain,” joked O’Callaghan.

His ‘people’ pointed to Martin’s choice, stating: “Look, it isn’t porridge.” 

“Bacon and cabbage later,” laughed Martin. 

After shaking the hands of some diners, Martin headed into the nearest health food store.

Whether it was for penance or just to assuage his guilt of the crumble, who knows, but Martin did confirm he was in search of magnesium for O’Callaghan.

“It helps you sleep,” he said. 

Clearly the healthy eating and supplements are working, as a few members of the public in the shopping centre remarked on Martin’s appearance, with one telling this reporter “he’s holding up well”.

Today’s canvass was revealing in other ways, apart from the Fianna Fáil leader’s dietary habits. 

Fianna Fail campaign-13_90717100 Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in The Pantry in Rathmines. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Issues raised with Micheál Martin

Those that were canvassed raised a number of issues, many of which are at the centre of this election. 

The bike shed, rising rents, disability services and the cost of childcare were all raised with Martin and O’Callaghan. 

A number of passersby on the streets of Rathmines remarked on Martin’s appearance on RTÉ’s Claire Byrne show earlier today, stating that they were impressed by him. 

“I think I might have to change my politics now,” she told Martin after telling him she had tuned into the interview. 

“I have never voted for you before but I am now,” said another woman, who told the Fianna Fáil leader that she is an ex-teacher.

“I’ve been insulted,” she said, speaking to last week’s controversy over Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary at a Fine Gael event and his remarks about not hiring teachers if you want things to get done. 

Maneuvering her trolley around the canvass comotion, one woman told The Journal that she found Martin “very personable”.

“They’re [Fianna Fáil] not doing a bad job,” she said, stating that “it is a strange world right now” and she wouldn’t want to deviate to vote for someone new. 

“You wouldn’t know what they would do,” she added. 

A pharmacist raised concerns he had about pay and conditions for those in his profession, telling Martin “just don’t forget about us”. 

One man raised the issue of childcare costs, stating that while he welcomes promises to reduce the costs, his family has had trouble finding a creche place. 

An older woman stopped the party leader to tell him she is renting and it much too high. 

Martin spoke to her about the rent tax credit she is entitled to, telling her that his party wants to double it if they get into government again. 

“What about a rent freeze?” she asked, something a number of opposition parties are committing to if they get into government. 

The Fianna Fáil leader said his concern is such a move would make smaller landlords exit the market, an assertion that is unproven

“Oh yeah, okay,” she replied, stating: “I will be voting for you anyway, as I like you.” 

“I hope you become Taoiseach,” she told him, before getting back to her shopping.

Another raised a personal housing issue which she said had her very worried. O’Callaghan asked her to send on the correspondence and he would look into the matter for her. 

Living down the ‘disastrous’ bikeshed 

Another older woman going about her business had some home truths for the two men, telling them that while she did hope Martin would become the next Taoiseach, he needed to sort out the supports for those with disabilities and their carers. 

“You are very bad at looking after the physically disabled,” she said, highlighting concerns about wheelchair access, in particular.

“They have to fight for every single thing,” she said, adding: “You are going to have to do something for carers.”

Many carers are older people, she explained, stating that it is too much for many of them to handle. 

Martin said a “whole of government approach” is needed. 

Fianna Fail campaign-18_90717104 Tánaiste and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, speaks to locals while canvassing with Fianna Fail’s Dublin Bay South election candidate Jim O’Callaghan in Rathmines

The woman smirked and said she didn’t want to have to raise it, but decided to go there. 

“The disastrous bike shelter. You’ll have to live that down,” she told them. She held off on any more criticisms stating: “That’s enough thorns in your side from me today.” 

She said she would vote for O’Callaghan but added: “You’ll have to deliver the goods.” 

A number of people also told the party leader they would be tuning into tonight’s TV debate on RTÉ, but joked that Martin would hardly get a word in with ten politicians on the panel. 

“It’s madness,” said one shop worker.

Butlers Cafe was another pit stop along the way. A man, who previously lived in the US, told Martin that he was “doing a great job, keep it up”. 

One shopper stopped Martin for a selfie, telling reporters later that she thinks Martin is “getting more popular as time goes on”.

Fianna Fail campaign-2_90717095 Micheál Martin holds up a Civil War politics book in Dubray books in Rathmines. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

When asked what she thought of Simon Harris, she said he seemed nice, but a “bit giddy”. 

Dubray Bookshop was also paid a visit. Bookshops are the party leader’s “heaven”, he said.

He said his kids often give out to him and his gifting choices at Christmastime, telling him ‘not another book’. 

Martin and O’Callaghan browsed some historical books. Martin held up a book entitled ‘Atlas of the Irish Civil War’, which O’Callaghan was recommending.

Civil war politics appeared to come to an end when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael went into government last time around. Perhaps this bedtime reading for Martin will inspire him to do so again.

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    Mute liam preston
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:13 PM

    Sponsored by ballygowan…irelands no 1 bottler.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:21 PM

    @liam preston: He didn’t bottle this one. He did brilliantly to get in to the playoff. Since when was losing a playoff to an eagle bottling it?

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:22 PM

    @liam preston: He lost to an EAGLE!! Please explain how that counts as ‘bottling’?

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    Mute David
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:43 PM

    @liam preston: you that hard up for attention. Says alot about you. Poor little small man.

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    Mute Alan Moloney
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:50 PM

    @Richard Ford: still lost

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:08 PM

    @Alan Moloney: Yup but spare me the bottler b******t.

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    Mute Kevin Dillon
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:09 PM

    @Alan Moloney: well so did the other 125 players that didn’t win. You guys are clueless and beggers belief why you comment on articles that you haven’t a clue of. He’s won three times this season which is second only to Schauffle and 12 top 10′s which is third behind Shauffle and Scheffler. But yeah, he still lost, I guess.

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    Mute Richard Ford
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:38 PM

    @Kevin Dillon: Well said.

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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:54 PM

    @liam preston: so how many golf titles have you won then

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    Mute Tom tom
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:24 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Well to be fair, he bottled it on the 72nd hole. Poor game management cost him a birdy and a win.

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 9:24 PM

    @Richard Ford: Here I’d imagine.babboons a plenty.

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    Mute Andrew Kenny
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 11:21 PM

    @liam preston: Yep

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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
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    Sep 23rd 2024, 1:49 AM

    @liam preston: Not a piss artist like yourself? Jealous not?

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    Mute john kenny
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:16 PM

    Very unlucky. Rory Playing well just needs a little luck. Very consistent all season.

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    Mute Hotirish
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:47 PM

    Despite all the knocks he at least keeps getting back up fighting. Keep going Rory.

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    Mute Bundoon
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:17 PM

    He will have to cry into the 2nd place prize of a few million bless him , we all don’t know what problems are when you see this poor chap struggling

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:23 PM

    @Bundoon: If he was just playing for the money he would have jumped ship to LIV.

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    Mute McWingy
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 6:45 PM

    @Bundoon: who said he was struggling or worried about money other than yourself?

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    Mute Bundoon
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:04 PM

    @McWingy: you don’t get sarcasm I see

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    Mute Jason Higgins
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 9:43 PM

    @Bundoon: another clown

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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:00 PM

    no shock, McIlroy the bottler, I tell ye all the time. Waste of time watching this bottler

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    Mute Mrs Leahy STMA
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:50 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: and Liam Preston

    I would bet that neither of you looked at the golf this week or last, if you did, you would both know that you are full of guff. Rory was beaten by a steam roller last week, no one saw it coming, this week he started the last round three shots behind and made it to a play off after a brilliant eagle on the 17th, one of two all day. I would suggest that you both check your facts, look up the definition for bottling and get off the knock Rory bandwagon!

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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:56 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: so tell us , how many titles in any sport have you won then

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    Mute Bert Carolan
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:01 PM

    @Mrs Leahy STMA: He didn’t even see it, don’t bother answering him.

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    Mute Michale Kane
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:08 PM

    @Peter Byrne: excellent retort as usual Peter

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    Mute Jason Higgins
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 9:43 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: Get help for yourself

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    Mute John Nolan
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:34 PM

    Great talent, does his best, one of the worlds best

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    Mute Will
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:23 PM

    Will win at least 1major next year

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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:10 PM

    @Will: no chance

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:55 PM

    In fairness to the guy he keeps coming back but lady luck doesn’t seem ever to be on his side. Yes his putting is the part of his game that just lets him down and others always seem to get the break. All said I’d love his bank balance

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    Mute Tom tom
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:25 PM

    Lost it on the 72nd hole with poor course management.

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    Mute Kevin Dillon
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 8:45 PM

    @Tom tom: think you said that already mr sat nav. This nonsense of bad course management is bs. He ripped it down most fairways and over trees etc, hitting 9 irons into par 5′s. Margin of error is huge. Pulls it off and yeah it’s Rory. Fails by a half a meter and it’s bad course management. The guy was two back with two to play and he was cm’s of winning on the 72nd hole. Nonsense.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 10:36 PM

    @Kevin Dillon: Mr sat nav, love it, lol.

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:09 PM

    South Dublin all right Jack sort sickened

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:22 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: Couldn’t agree more Angus!

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    Mute Hotirish
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    Sep 22nd 2024, 7:58 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: you wha?

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