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Libertas leader facing election battle Libertas leader facing election battle
(about 5 hours later)
Mr Ganley, a top EU critic, is running for a seat in the European ParliamentMr Ganley, a top EU critic, is running for a seat in the European Parliament
Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty last year threw the European Union into chaos, and now the man who spearheaded the "no" campaign, Libertas leader Declan Ganley, is running for the European Parliament. But can he win over the voters in Middle Ireland, the BBC's Mark Simpson asks.Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty last year threw the European Union into chaos, and now the man who spearheaded the "no" campaign, Libertas leader Declan Ganley, is running for the European Parliament. But can he win over the voters in Middle Ireland, the BBC's Mark Simpson asks.
One incident, in one town, on one night, summed up the campaign by Mr Ganley to win a seat in Europe.One incident, in one town, on one night, summed up the campaign by Mr Ganley to win a seat in Europe.
The multi-millionaire businessman broke one of the golden rules of politics - never keep the people waiting.The multi-millionaire businessman broke one of the golden rules of politics - never keep the people waiting.
However, somehow, he seemed to get away with it.However, somehow, he seemed to get away with it.
It was 2130 at the Longford Arms Hotel in Co Longford, and around 100 people had been waiting 90 minutes for Mr Ganley to arrive at a public meeting.It was 2130 at the Longford Arms Hotel in Co Longford, and around 100 people had been waiting 90 minutes for Mr Ganley to arrive at a public meeting.
The reaction we are getting on the ground is superb Libertas leader Declan GanleyThe reaction we are getting on the ground is superb Libertas leader Declan Ganley
There were free refreshments, but the shortbread and custard creams were going soft. The coffee was well below boiling point and patience was at breaking point.There were free refreshments, but the shortbread and custard creams were going soft. The coffee was well below boiling point and patience was at breaking point.
Suddenly, a well-dressed businessman burst into the room, adjusted his cuff-links, cleared his throat and began to woo the audience.Suddenly, a well-dressed businessman burst into the room, adjusted his cuff-links, cleared his throat and began to woo the audience.
"Good evening. First of all, I am very sorry for being so late. I was brought up better than this," he said."Good evening. First of all, I am very sorry for being so late. I was brought up better than this," he said.
"But I do have a little bit of good news... Libertas can declare this evening that across the EU, we are now running just over 500 candidates.""But I do have a little bit of good news... Libertas can declare this evening that across the EU, we are now running just over 500 candidates."
He then embarked on some sustained Brussels-bashing, punctuated by bursts of applause from the audience.He then embarked on some sustained Brussels-bashing, punctuated by bursts of applause from the audience.
The total number of Libertas candidates across Europe has since risen to more than 600. The party boasts of winning more than 100 seats. But of all those candidates running, most eyes are focused on just one - Mr Ganley himself.The total number of Libertas candidates across Europe has since risen to more than 600. The party boasts of winning more than 100 seats. But of all those candidates running, most eyes are focused on just one - Mr Ganley himself.
Deep recessionDeep recession
He faces a huge battle. The three-seat Ireland North West constituency is one of the largest in Europe, covering 11 different counties, stretching from Donegal to Clare to Galway to the Aran islands.He faces a huge battle. The three-seat Ireland North West constituency is one of the largest in Europe, covering 11 different counties, stretching from Donegal to Clare to Galway to the Aran islands.
His difficulties are political as well as geographical.His difficulties are political as well as geographical.
Since Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty last June, the country has been plunged into one of the deepest recessions in Europe. The so-called "Celtic Tiger" has limped into hibernation, if not extinction.Since Ireland rejected the Lisbon Treaty last June, the country has been plunged into one of the deepest recessions in Europe. The so-called "Celtic Tiger" has limped into hibernation, if not extinction.
Faced with rapidly rising unemployment and financial instability, many in Ireland want to protect their country's relationship with Europe rather than jeopardise it. It seems to be a case of "cling to nurse for fear of something worse".Faced with rapidly rising unemployment and financial instability, many in Ireland want to protect their country's relationship with Europe rather than jeopardise it. It seems to be a case of "cling to nurse for fear of something worse".
Ireland's "Tiger" economy has come to a grinding halt in recent monthsIreland's "Tiger" economy has come to a grinding halt in recent months
The latest Irish Times poll suggested that 52% of people would vote "yes" in the referendum re-run on the Lisbon Treaty scheduled for this autumn.The latest Irish Times poll suggested that 52% of people would vote "yes" in the referendum re-run on the Lisbon Treaty scheduled for this autumn.
The stakes for Mr Ganley are high. Indeed, if he fails to get elected to the European Parliament, he says he will step away from front-line politics, and take a back seat.The stakes for Mr Ganley are high. Indeed, if he fails to get elected to the European Parliament, he says he will step away from front-line politics, and take a back seat.
"If I did not get a mandate, if I did not win my seat, I would not think it would be the right thing to lead a campaign against the Lisbon Treaty," he told Ireland's state broadcaster, RTE."If I did not get a mandate, if I did not win my seat, I would not think it would be the right thing to lead a campaign against the Lisbon Treaty," he told Ireland's state broadcaster, RTE.
In a dig at the Irish government, he added: "I am a democrat - I can take no for an answer."In a dig at the Irish government, he added: "I am a democrat - I can take no for an answer."
In next month's election, he is taking on Ireland's two largest parties - Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - as well as the smaller parties like Labour and Sinn Fein. There are also some high-profile independent candidates in the 13-strong field.In next month's election, he is taking on Ireland's two largest parties - Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - as well as the smaller parties like Labour and Sinn Fein. There are also some high-profile independent candidates in the 13-strong field.
A poll in mid-May suggested he was struggling, giving him only 9% of the vote.A poll in mid-May suggested he was struggling, giving him only 9% of the vote.
Long shotLong shot
The editor of the Connacht Tribune newspaper, Dave O'Connell, says Mr Ganley has a chance of taking one of the three seats, but it is extremely slim.The editor of the Connacht Tribune newspaper, Dave O'Connell, says Mr Ganley has a chance of taking one of the three seats, but it is extremely slim.
Libertas is looked at as a big party with a lot of money but their views do not hold much down here Paul ConnellFormer mayor of LongfordLibertas is looked at as a big party with a lot of money but their views do not hold much down here Paul ConnellFormer mayor of Longford
"I think it is a very long shot. I do not see him in the shake-up for the last seat," he says."I think it is a very long shot. I do not see him in the shake-up for the last seat," he says.
Mr Ganley is unmoved. He says his own polling shows him topping the poll or taking the second seat.Mr Ganley is unmoved. He says his own polling shows him topping the poll or taking the second seat.
"We're feeling very good," he says."We're feeling very good," he says.
"The reaction we are getting on the ground is superb. There is a real mood for change out there.""The reaction we are getting on the ground is superb. There is a real mood for change out there."
On that final point at least, many of his opponents agree. The coalition government led by Fianna Fail has lost confidence over its handling of the economic crisis and there are protest votes to be won.On that final point at least, many of his opponents agree. The coalition government led by Fianna Fail has lost confidence over its handling of the economic crisis and there are protest votes to be won.
Irish ObamaIrish Obama
On his whistle-stop trip to Longford, Mr Ganley did manage to win over some new recruits.On his whistle-stop trip to Longford, Mr Ganley did manage to win over some new recruits.
A local teacher, Brendan McDermott, even hailed him as the "Irish Obama".A local teacher, Brendan McDermott, even hailed him as the "Irish Obama".
He explained: "He doesn't need it financially. He is doing it out of belief, true belief from his heart, which seems to me very much in keeping with our good friend Barack Obama."He explained: "He doesn't need it financially. He is doing it out of belief, true belief from his heart, which seems to me very much in keeping with our good friend Barack Obama."
However, a former mayor of Longford, Paul Connell, was unimpressed.However, a former mayor of Longford, Paul Connell, was unimpressed.
"Libertas is looked at as a big party with a lot of money but their views do not hold much down here," he said."Libertas is looked at as a big party with a lot of money but their views do not hold much down here," he said.
Mr Ganley says he is not anti-European and is not advocating that countries like Ireland and the UK withdraw from the EU.Mr Ganley says he is not anti-European and is not advocating that countries like Ireland and the UK withdraw from the EU.
Instead, he believes radical reforms are needed to make the EU more accountable to its members.Instead, he believes radical reforms are needed to make the EU more accountable to its members.
His describes the Lisbon Treaty as a "piece of junk" that should be thrown away.His describes the Lisbon Treaty as a "piece of junk" that should be thrown away.
During last year's referendum, voters in Ireland liked that message.During last year's referendum, voters in Ireland liked that message.
Next month, we will see what they think of the messenger. Soon we will see what they think of the messenger.
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BBC Ireland Correspondent Mark Simpson reports