If the painfully-drawn-out process of locating the bodies of the disappeared has the capacity to hurt Sinn Fein electorally, Monaghan could be where it hits hardest.
With two separate searches going on in the north and south of the county, the attempt to translate Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain's huge general election vote into increased local representation may not be as smooth as it appeared at the outset of the campaign.
Nevertheless, the party believes it can treble its county council membership to six seats and even Fianna Fail sources concede that five is a strong possibility. Either figure would announce Sinn Fein's arrival as a major force on the 20-member local authority traditionally dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
The party's solitary Dail deputy leads the campaign, defending his county (but not urban) council seat in North Monaghan, while the "star" recruit is Ms Brenda McAnespie, double All-Ireland medallist with the Monaghan wo men's football team. The rather lower profile of most of Sinn Fein's other candidates is one of the factors the bigger parties hope will tell against it.
The dual mandate remains common in Monaghan: as well as Mr O Caolain, the Fine Gael TD Mr Seymour Crawford (Clones area) and the Fianna Fail senators Ms Ann Leonard (Monaghan) and Mr Francis O'Brien (Castleblay ney) are all contesting the county elections. The poll will also have at least two conspicuous absentees, both Fine Gael. The veteran former TD, Mr John F. Conlon, is stepping down after 42 years on the council; while another former TD and senator, Mr Bill Cotter, is also bowing out.
Monaghan has traditionally returned a number of Protestant Association candidates, these days independents. Of the incumbents, a popular Orangeman, Mr Noel Maxwell, seems safe in North Monaghan, but Mr Walter Pringle in Clones could be vulnerable, especially given the presence of Fine Gael's Mr Crawford. Of the other independents, the Iniskeen-based veteran, Mr Peter Murphy, is not running; his absence may boost Fianna Fail, which is in any case least vulnerable to Sinn Fein in this, the Carrickmacross area.
Among the urban councils, one of the most interesting results could again involve Sinn Fein. Already the biggest group on Monaghan UDC with three seats, the party believes it has a chance of taking five this time and an overall majority.
