Michael ‘Bomber’ Killilea, a former hurler with Carnmore and footballer with Claregalway, is coming under increasing pressure from Fine Gael to contest the 2009 Local Elections.
FG in the Oranmore area feels Mr Killilea would make “an excellent candidate” and that he should seek a nomination when the party holds its selection convention.
At a recent meeting of the FG Carnmore/Claregalway branch, members said they felt “very let down” on local issues including the failure to build the Claregalway Bypass and recent “mishandling” of the town’s traffic lights.
As such they believe a locally based man with a high profile should be persuaded to stand and bring a local voice to bear on future issues affecting the area. Mr Killilea is a member of the Carnmore/Claregalway branch and his GAA connections would do him no harm if he decided to run.
‘The Bomber’ has not indicated what his intentions are to date but is considering his options. However he is not the only individual interested in running in Oranmore. Michael Eames, husband of Sen Fidelma Healy Eames, and Liam O’Carroll are also considering putting their names forward.
Fine Gael looks set to run three candidates in each of the county’s five electoral ward, although four may eventually run in Tuam. While the sitting councillors will be running again, there is speculation that Paul Connaughton jr may run in Ballinasloe and that former councillor Jimmy McClearn may make a comeback in Loughrea.
