Supporters of independent candidate Mildred Fox are elated with her by-election victory in Wicklow.
At 24 years of age, Mildred Fox, daughter of the late Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for Wicklow Johnny Fox wins almost 12,000 votes to top the poll in the Wicklow by-election and secures the seat made vacant by the sudden death of her father.
Mildred Fox’s success is built largely on the amount of local support she received, much of it from supporters of her father who served the area well as an independent.
It’s been a fantastic victory, Johnny was our idol and so is Mildred.
Mildred Fox’s win demonstrates the continued support for an independent candidate in Wicklow. While her campaign started with a low profile, her team of supporters were confident that she would win.
One supporter says Mildred Fox is down to earth and very capable of speaking up. Another rejects the idea of her being unknown. Born and raised in Wicklow and well known in the area Mildred Fox worked with her father in his Dáil office for a year and her views and policies support those he held.
She would be there to work for the ordinary people and support them in their everyday needs and whatever they’d be entitled to she would be there to help them get it.
Another jubilant supporter notes that with Johnny Fox leaving the Fianna Fáil party in 1992 they got a tremendous candidate and Mildred is an equally worthy candidate.
Charlie Haughey would have recognised him but Bertie Ahern didn’t recognise him.
This episode of 'Prime Time’ was broadcast on 30 June 1995. The reporter is Ursula Halligan.
