The new Galway City Central ward is “ready made for a Martin Quinn comeback” according to the former mayor who is seeking to be a Fianna Fáil candidate in the next local elections.
The former councillor feels he benefits most from the recent constituency revision where the old West Ward crosses the river to take in Woodquay, Bohermore, Lough Atalia, and Eyre Square.
“I have strong connections in the area and the creation of the central ward is a major boost,” said Mr Quinn. “The central ward is my heartland.”
Mr Quinn is one of a family of 12 from College Road and he has an extended family network around the city. This includes two brothers, who are senior officials with the Liam Mellows Hurling Club.
The club draws much of its support from within the new areas of the central ward. He is also involved in the Newcastle Combined Community Association and the Bushypark Area Residents Association.
Mr Quinn is now confident that he will be among those called to Dublin for an interview to assess his suitability to be a Fianna Fáil candidate in the 2009 Local Elections. If selected he will run alongside Cllr John Connolly in the new Galway City Central ward.
Mr Quinn served as a councillor from 1999 too 2004 and was mayor in 2000/2001. He lost out by just one vote to Fine Gael Cllr Padraig Conneely in the 2004 local elections.
If selected Mr Quinn faces a battle to regain his seat as the four seat Galway City Central ward is packed with political heavyweights. Cllr Billy Cameron and Mayor Conneely are on course to regain their seat. Both Cllr John Connolly and Cllr Colette Connolly have solid followings in the area and must not be written off.
Mr Quinn however will say that while he was narrowly defeated in the last local election, he received his greatest support in parts of the West Ward which are still included in the new central ward.
He will also point to his campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Lisbon Treaty with all boxes at his local polling station in Bushypark voting in favour of the treaty. He was recently elected treasurer of the Galway West CDC and worked as Director of Finance for Galway West during the 2007 General Election.
