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Article: Mainstream Irish parties fear strong gains by Sinn Fein in summer poll
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- February 25, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A SUSTAINED surge of support for Sinn Fein in the Republic of
Ireland has brought a wave of denunciations from other parties, some
of them describing the republicans as a threat to Irish democracy.
Mainstream Dublin politicians have become increasingly worried as
Sinn Fein's support has steadily mounted in opinion polls, standing
now at a new high of eight per cent.
With a general election due this summer, most observers forecast
that Sinn Fein, which at the moment holds only one of the Dail's 166
seats, could return with between four and eight representatives.
Polls indicate strong support among younger voters.
Dr Garret FitzGerald, the former taoiseach, warned at the weekend: