There may be a few surprises in store at one or more of the upcoming Fianna Fáil selection conventions in Roscommon, Athlone, and Boyle, with at least one new candidate throwing his hat into the ring in the south of the county.
Athleague native, James Murray, a son of former councillor, the late Anthony Murray, and outgoing councillor John Keogh are the only two candidates nominated in the Athlone Local Electoral Area after Malachy Hand opted out. It has been confirmed that both candidates will run next year.
Meanwhile, there is mounting speculation that two new candidates may emerge in the Boyle and Ballaghaderreen areas. No date has yet been confirmed for the Boyle LEA selection convention.
It’s understood that Cllr. Joe Murphy will be running again, while party officials have been in talks with two other potential candidates after outgoing councillor John Cummins confirmed he wouldn’t be contesting the election, having announced his retirement from politics.
The Athlone selection convention takes place at the Hodson Bay Hotel on Monday night next, and the Roscommon LEA selection night is scheduled for May 29th at the Abbey Hotel.
There are three candidates for Roscommon, outgoing councillors Paschal Fitzmaurice and Marty McDermott and local businessman and former candidate, Larry Brennan, who steps into the void left by outgoing councillor Orla Leyden.
