80s pop band the Bangles famously sang 'Come on honey, let's make some noise' but now the people of Westmeath are being asked to follow their advice - and call for a general election in the process.
The man behind a quirky demonstration designed to draw attention to the public’s frustration with the Government, says there’s a real appetite for change in Westmeath.
Cathal Furey, who lectures in business and IT says he was really pleased with the turnout at locations in Athlone and Mullingar earlier this month where he made a video of people calling for an election.
The video has now been uploaded to the internet and can be seen on www.facebook.com/generalelection as a lead up to his Heyday, Make A Noise demonstration which he hopes will take place in locations across the country at midday this Saturday.
The video shows people across the country holding placards explaining why they feel there should be an election and Furey says it’s a completely democratic event.
“Mullingar went really well. There was definitely a mood for change and an acceptance that something has to be done to turn things around,” he told the Advertiser.
He hopes the video will go viral and it has already been posted on a number of discussion boards leading to much conversation in advance of Saturday’s non-political demonstration.
He’s satisfied that regardless of turnout, he’ll know that he did something to try and bring about change at a time when the public are angry, disillusioned, and upset.
Meanwhile he’s calling on people to contact their local radio station to have the event’s theme song “Heyday” by Mic Christopher played.
Well known local blogger, Tom Foley says he expects upwards of 200 people to attend the gathering at St Peter’s Square at noon and that a local store is even providing some pots and pans for people to beat together.
From there a petition will be taken up and delivered across the bridge to Senator Nicky McFadden and Minister Mary O’Rourke “to say that we need an election”.
He says the current government have been in power too long and this is a good time for people to have a new say in how the country is going forward.
“There is a misconnect between the populace and those who are in power,” he says, adding that he doesn’t believe that the current crop of politicians in power and those on the opposition benches “have any clue of how ordinary people have to deal with the realities”.
