Fianna Fáil picks date for Galway West bye-election selection convention
Fianna Fáil will hold its selection convention for the Galway West bye-election on Sunday, March 29.
Fianna Fáil is the last major party to choose its candidate to contest the bye-election to fill the seat vacated by Catherine Connolly’s election as President of Ireland last November.
The bye-election will take place in May.
A Fianna Fáil spokesperson confirmed that the convention will take place March 29 at a venue yet to be announced.
Three men are vying to be the party’s candidate: Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers in City East, Galway County Councillors Cillian Keane in Oranmore and Máirtín Lee in Conamara.
Fianna Fáil's most recent General Election ticket in Galway West – John Connolly and Gráinne Seoige – was chosen at an uncontested convention in Oughterard in 2024 after a number of candidates, withdrew.
Deputy Connolly, who won seat held by Éamon Ó Cuív for over two decades, said last week that members were enthused by the prospect of a contested convention.
Councillor Cheevers, the Deputy Mayor of Galway, confirmed that he allowed his name go forward for convention after speaking with members and supporters in recent weeks.
Councillor Lee, from Tír an Fhia, has highlighted issues important to the Gaeltacht since he was first elected to the County Council in Connemara LEA in 2024.
Councillor Keane is the youngest elected member of Galway County Council representing the Athenry/Oranmore LEA.
Minister Dara Calleary is the Director of Elections and will preside over the convention.
Galway West used to be a stronghold for Fianna Fáil but it has not held two seats here since 2011.
The candidates already selected for the Galway West bye-election are 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) and Mark Lohan (SF).