Boost for former Mayo GAA star ahead of FG convention

EFFORTS by the Fine Gael organisation in Castlebar to ensure the selection of former Mayo GAA star Alan Dillon to contest the next general election has received a massive boost.

The decision of Senator Paddy Burke not to seek a nomination points to unity within the ranks behind the All-Star recipient.

Without a second Castlebar-based candidate in the contest, fears of the vote being split and the county town being left without a contender to replace outgoing TD Enda Kenny have been firmly allayed.

Party branches in the Castlebar Municipal District have the voting numbers to guarantee that Dillon is on the ticket.

Castlebar has elected a Fine Gael TD since the late Henry Kenny was first elected to public office in 1954.

The former Minister of State at the Department of Finance was succeeded by his son, Enda, after his death in 1975, Enda having achieved the distinction of serving as Fine Gael party leader from 2002 to 2017 and Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017.

The convention takes place in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, on Sunday night, March 25.

The other nominees are Minister Michael Ring, Senator Michelle Mulherin and Councillor Patsy O'Brien. It is expected that three candidates will be chosen.