Martin Quinn’s days in Fianna Fáil may be coming to a close as the former mayor is currently deciding whether or not to stay in the party or run in the June’s Local Elections as an Independent.
The process to select a running mate for Cllr John Connolly in Galway City Central came down to a contest between former mayor Martin Quinn and Ollie Crowe, the brother of Cllr Michael J Crowe. Behind the scenes there was intense lobbying. It is understood that Dep Frank Fahey and party grassroots members favoured Mr Quinn, while FF HQ was interested in Mr Crowe.
Last weekend, Mr Crowe was given the nod. The move has been given a very mixed reception by Galway FF with many party members feeling Mr Quinn - an activist of 30 years’ experience, a former councillor, and mayor - should have been given the nod ahead of Mr Crowe.
Mr Quinn said he was “disappointed” by the decision but that it was “not the end of the world”. Nonetheless he is considering his future options both within Fianna Fáil and in Galway politics.
“I will give it a couple of weeks and then decide my position within Fianna Fáil,” he told the Galway Advertiser. “At the recent Ard Fhéis I was given an award for my work for the party and now they tell me I’m not good enough to be on the ticket. I don’t see any future within the party and the pointers are good for going Independent.”
Mr Quinn said he has had “indirect approaches” from other parties, but that if he decides to run it will be as an Independent.
