The prospect of an O’Rourke mother and son team sitting side by side in the Dáil raised its head this week, as it emerged that sitting Athlone councillor Aengus O’Rourke, son of Fianna Fáil stalwart Deputy Mary O’Rourke, has been approached to run for the Roscommon/ South Leitrim constituency in the General Election.
The councillor, who lives at Barrybeg, Athlone, just over the Roscommon border, and whose family boasts strong Roscommon ties, was asked by his party to consider putting his name forward as a candidate for the constituency.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with Fianna Fail party members yesterday [Thursday] evening, Cllr O’Rourke confirmed that he had been approached, but said there was “no prospect” of him accepting the offer.
“My heart lies in Athlone, in Westmeath. I am honoured to be considered but there is no prospect of me accepting the offer at this stage,” he said.
“There has obviously been a bit of speculation given that Michael Finneran will not be running and given that I am close enough geographically.”
However, he confirmed that he had not yet given an answer to those in his party who had approached him.
The O’Rourke and Lenihan families enjoy several generations of political links with Roscommon. Aengus’ grandfather Patrick Lenihan and his uncle, the late Brian Lenihan, both ran in the constituency, while his mother, sitting TD Mary O’Rourke, spent her childhood in County Roscommon.
Speaking of the Roscommon connection, Cllr O’Rourke said the ties are still “very strong”. “My mother was born and reared in County Roscommon at Hodson Bay, and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan visits regularly and stays there. The connection goes back many generations,” he said.
Deputy Mary O’Rourke announced on St Stephen’s Day that she would once again be putting herself forward for the Longford/ Westmeath constituency.
The speculation over Fianna Fail candiates in Roscommon/ South Leitrim began when Minister for Housing Michael Finneran announced earlier this month that he would not be seeking a nomination to hold onto his seat.
Current Roscommon county councillors John Keogh from Monksland has also been mooted as a possible candidate for his party in the constituency.
