FF TD predicts ‘fighting chance’ of winning Galway West seat
Galway West TD, John Connolly, has insisted Fianna Fáil has a ‘fighting chance’ of winning a second seat in the constituency’s bye-election in May.
Fianna Fáil delegates picked Galway County Councillor Cillian Keane to contest the Galway West bye-election at a packed contested selection convention in Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill last Sunday.
Deputy Connolly said Councillor Keane, the current chair of the Athenry/Oranmore Municipal District, has an opportunity to win a second seat for Fianna Fáil in Galway West for the first time since 2011.
“There was fervour in the room. It was very positive. There was a healthy turnout of delegates. There was spirit in the room, and all three candidates spoke very well. We have a fighting chance (of winning the seat),” said Deputy Connolly.
“The convention went some way to engaging members in the campaign. If we can get them all active, we have a fighting chance. It will take the entire organisation getting behind him (Cillian Keane) and putting in the groundwork and making sure that there is an awareness of him across the constituency,” he added.
Cllr Keane, a stalwart of Ógra Fianna Fáil, brought a number of younger members to the convention from around the country.
The 25-five-year-old, the youngest elected member on Galway County Council, defeated County Councillor Máirtín Lee in Conamara and City Councillor Alan Cheevers in Galway City.
Cllr Keane was ahead after the first count with 72 votes compared with 58 for Cllr Lee and 36 for Cllr Cheevers. When the City East candidate was eliminated that pushed Councillor Keane even further ahead, winning 98-65 on the second count.
A total of twelve candidates have so far declared their intention to contest the Galway West bye-election. They also include Sheila Garrity (Ind), Helen Ogbu (Lab), Niall Murphy (Green), Noel Thomas (Ind Ire), Thomas Welby (Ind), Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (Soc Dem), Orla Nugent (Aontú) Denman Rooke (PBP), Seán Kyne (FG), Mark Lohan (SF) and Mike Cubbard (Ind).