Unperturbed by the political controversy breaking over the heads of her rivals, Dana Rosemary Scallon continued her surefooted progress around Ireland with a stop-off at the base of would-be candidate, Albert Reynolds. She was welcomed to C & D Foods, the pet food factory owned by the Reynolds family, by his son, Philip, managing director of the company. "You've just missed my father. He and my mother left for the Far East this morning," he told her. "You're the first and only candidate to ask to call. I'm delighted you did."
Earlier Dana told a group of about 100 supporters in the Longford Arms Hotel that she did not want to see a "yuppie Ireland where all you think of is how much money you have", where there is no compassion or care for each other.
"We always had a strong family in Ireland. It's taken us through the worst of days. Why not now in the time of prosperity? Why can't we have the best of both worlds?"
Turning to the controversy concerning the candidacy of Mary McAleese, she said: "People don't want their Presidency drawn through the mud. Conflict and controversy are the hallmarks of a political campaign. The people are saying, `Enough. If you want your cat fights, have them in your elections'."
Later in Cavan she reiterated that the Presidency was being "drawn into the mud" by the parties on behalf of their candidates. She told the meeting, chaired by Tom McKenna, a Knight of St Sylvester (a papal award instituted by Pope Pius X), that people were disillusioned by the smell of corruption.
Dana was upbeat about her chances. "With PR, everything is possible. PR is a very fair way of voting." She was celebrating her new odds at the bookies, she said, down from 100-1 to 25-1.
After the meeting Dana's husband, Damien, asked for help with leaflets and money. The Longford meeting produced £600-£700, according to John Brown, Dana's brother and campaign manager.