Former Fianna Fáil National Executive member Michael O’Brien has this week resigned as a member of the party, deciding instead to run as an Independent candidate in this year’s Local Elections.
The Moate man who also served as chairman of Athlone Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceantair for over six years said that he had given his decision a lot of thought over the Christmas.
“I entered politics to serve the public and since an opportunity to run has not presented itself within Fianna Fail, I’m taking one of the options open to me and that is to run as an Independent candidate.”
Mr O’Brien went on to say that he was extremely disappointed with the template Fianna Fail headquarters decided to use at the recent selection convention, “which essentially blocked me from standing as a candidate in the Local Elections. Fianna Fáil HQ can block me from standing for Fianna Fáil but they won’t block me from serving the public,” he said.
The Local Elections are expected to be held in May.
