Eavan Murray: Tetchy MEP exchanges, eyerolls and one lone clapper as candidates vie for farmers’ votes in fiery debate

Clockwise from top left: Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, the Green Party’s Pauline O’Reilly, James Reynolds of the National Party and Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh at the debate in Claremorris. Photos: J Corless

Eavan Murray

The current scramble for the “farmer vote” in the Midlands-Northwest European elections is heading for an all-out political war. The Irish Farmers’ Association election debate in the McWilliam Hotel in Claremorris, Co Mayo, on Thursday night was attended by 11 of the constituency’s 28 MEP hopefuls. And it was a dog-eat-dog affair.

The first skirmish began with Senator Pauline O’Reilly of the Green Party and James Reynolds of the National Party, who sat beside each other at the top table.