Disability campaigner praises improved Laois polling station access but hits out at sign theives

Physical Impairment Ireland’s Leo Kavanagh has praised Laois County Registrar Rory Hanniffy after access was improved at Laois polling stations.    

The National Secretary of Physical Impairment Ireland(PII) had been highly critical of polling stations in Laois during the last referendums in March. 

The Laois man was very disappointed with the lack of access for people with disabilities at polling stations in Laois during the referendums on care and family on March 8, 2024.

“I got reports from all over the county that there was no proper polling booths for wheelchair users,” Mr Kavanagh said at the time. 

He said there were issues nationwide but he was taken aback by the level of problems in Laois. 

“I was amazed by the amount of feedback from my own county,” he said last March.

He explained he had been offered a small table with no privacy in Ballyroan. He described the move as “highly insulting” and said disabled people shouldn’t be made a spectacle of when voting. 

Mr Kavanagh pointed out that one of the two referendums dealt with carers.  

“I am not letting this go,” he insisted at the time. Mr Kavanagh cited issues with disabled parking at some polling stations. 

“I was told there were issues in Portarlington. They are all meant to have parking facilities,” he said. 

However, after the voting had concluded in the Local and European Elections on Friday, June 7, Mr Kavanagh praised Returning Officer Rory Hanniffy. 

“I haven’t heard any complaints today. I heard lots at the referendum,” he said on Saturday. 

He explained that he had sat down with the County Register after the referendum in March and had found him “very receptive” to the concerns raised. 

“A massive thanks to Rory Hanniffy, County Registrar for Laois-Offaly and his wonderful team for having at least one disability friendly Voting Quadrant installed in every polling station in both Laois and Offaly today. These quadrants are so beneficial to wheelchair users especially. 

Furthermore, the Mobility & Wheelchair Accessibility signage is perfect in the very busy polling stations in Portlaoise,” Mr Kavanagh wrote in a message online after voting had taken place.  

“To the individual/s who removed two of these signs, what the hell were ye playing at? 

Jerry and the staff in the Registrar's Office are busy enough today without having to replace stolen signs," he said.  

“Great work folks, makes me proud to be a disabled Laois person Pleasure doing business with you all,” Mr Kavangh stated. 

When asked about the stolen signs, Mr Kavanagh said he couldn’t understand why someone would take them. 

“You have got to worry about some people, what is going on in their heads,” he remarked.