With Fianna Fáil in seeming disarray in Galway East, could this be the election that gives Sinn Féin its first County Galway TD since the 1920s?
On Monday Sinn Féin’s Ballinasloe based county councillor Dermot Connolly was unanimously selected to represent the party in Galway East at next month’s General Election.
With Labour and Fine Gael in confident form, Sinn Féin will know its best chance of building its vote and challenging for a seat will come from taking advantage of Fianna Fáil’s unpopularity. Fianna Fáil will be selecting its own candidates on Sunday.
The convention was held in Gullanes Hotel in Ballinasloe and was attended by some 100 members and supporters.
Due to the rapidly changing political situation, Galway East Sinn Fein had moved the convention date forward. The convention was opened by Caoimhin Caulfield, Sinn Fein cathaoirlaoch for the Ballinasloe Cumann. It was chaired by Caoimhe Sloan from Ógra Sinn Fein.
The guest speakers were the party’s Longford/Westmeath candidate, councillor Paul Hogan, and Daithi Mac an Bhaird who ran in Galway East in 2002.
Cllr Connolly’s candidacy was proposed by Ballinasloe town councillor Mattie Ganley and seconded by Grainne Morohan. Gabe Cronnelly from Athenry was nominated to be Dermot’s election campaign manager.
