Immigration concerns, anti-green anger and out of touch leaders – Is a new right-wing political force about to emerge?

Verona Murphy at the election count in Wexford in 2020. Photo: Mary Browne

Kim Bielenberg

Michael McDowell was in raptures as he attended a rally of more than 600 people in Co Wexford organised by the local independent TD Verona Murphy.

The crowd cheered and music serenaded guests on to the stage in the Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy as master of ceremonies Ivan Yates introduced a selection of election hopefuls one by one.