Since his election to the Dáil on Sunday, speculation is rife as to who might replace John Connolly TD on the Galway City Council.
Leinster House sources suggest Galway West’s new Fianna Fáil deputy is considered a possible minister for the Gaeltacht in any potential coalition talks, especially as Connemara voters did not return a resident TD.
A number of male Fianna Fáil members in Galway city have expressed interest in being selected to takeover the local authority role for the next five years, although sources in the party’s Dublin HQ indicate a woman might be preferable.
Party leader Micheal Martin is understood to be particularly keen to have women serving in urban areas. Currently, Fianna Fáil has only one female member on Galway City Council: first-time councillor, Josie Forde, who represents the city central ward.
Fianna Fáilers say they are interested to see if defeated Dáil candidate Gráinne Seoige expresses an interest in local authority politics. Insiders suggest Seoige, who lives close to the city’s west ward vacated by Connolly, expressing disinterest could be viewed as “a lack of sincerity” toward the party’s ambitions in the West.
Nicola Deacy, who ran unsuccessfully for Fianna Fáil in Galway city central in 2014, is another name emerging. Deacy worked on Connolly’s Dáil campaign.
There appears to be some confusion in Fianna Fáil circles if party members registered outside the Galway City West Local Electoral Area will be eligible for co-option onto the local authority.
If so, former experienced city councillor Mike Crowe from the city’s east side may be in competition with former councillor Val Hanley from the west ward for Connolly’s council membership.
John Connolly’s brother, David Connolly, former city west candidate David Burke, south Connemara candidate Daragh Ó Tuarisg and Shantalla businessman Jonathan Corbett are other FF members who may be interested.
