There have been quite a few sneering and cruel remarks about the people of Roscommon/South Leitrim that voted ‘No’ by a narrow margin (51.48%) in #MarRef.
That was surely a disappointment for the 17,615 constituents who voted ‘Yes’ but more soul destroying for that county and a half was the attitude of many social commenters who took the opportunity to belittle and demonise the entire population there.
Screwed over by government on issues like healthcare access,
job creation and
clean drinking water, these are not people who deserve that treatment. These are people who are mostly used to being forgotten about and not noticed.
Some things to note:
* Several other constituencies had incredibly tight votes - Donegal West was Yes by .05% or 33 votes. It was a very closely contested referendum in other rural areas. It’s a shame there were any constituencies that voted ‘No’ but to be the only one is unfortunate.
* These are counties ravaged by emigration and the flow of younger inhabitants to urban centres and jobs. Sligo, Dublin, Letterkenny and Galway are typically the places where they live and vote. Ros/South Leitrim doesn’t have an urban centre larger than Roscommon Town (5,700). The younger voter is evidently a Yes.
* Having canvassed voters’ opinions in the area** in the run up to Friday, I noticed there was a disconnect with the Yes campaign, and its message, that I hadn’t encountered in Dublin. Many rural people felt talked down to and alienated. They felt shouted at. They got left behind by the Yes campaign, which is worth reflecting on.
* 17,615 people in Ros/South Leitrim voted Yes. I hope they are joining the rest of the country in celebrating this proud moment in our nation’s history and not downtrodden because some cloistered urbanite(s) have decided it’s a good time to hit the culchie thicks with a stick.
* This weekend is a time for unity and for us all to share in this wonderful moment in Irish history. Anyone who wants to tell you different is missing the point and needs to be told where to go.
YES to equality.
** Though raised in South Leitrim, my constituency is Sligo/North Leitrim. Not confusing at all. Thanks electoral commission. I live in Dublin with my family. I voted Yes in #MarRef.
