McLoughlin successful at Castlebar FF co-option convention

MARTIN McLoughlin has been selected by Fianna Fáil party delegates in the Castlebar Municipal District to fill the vacancy created on Mayo County Council by the election of Lisa Chambers to Dáil Éireann.

At the party's co-option convention held at An Sportlann, Castlebar, tonight he emerged as the leading candidate from a three-way contest conducted by secret ballot. 

From a total of 89 votes cast, Castlebar man McLoughlin registered 49 to seal his selection on the first count. His closest contender, David Gallagher, Castlebar, attracted 29 votes while Kiltimagh's Marty O'Hora got 11.

McLoughlin's name will now go forward for ratification at next Monday's special meeting of Mayo County Council.

McLoughlin, who is an employee of the authority's water services, was Deputy Chambers' campaign manager during last month's general election in which Fianna Fáil took two seats out of four in the Mayo constituency.

He said: 'I look forward to working alongside Councillor Al McDonnell and Councillor Blackie Gavin for the good of the Castlebar Municipal District. And because I am an employee of the council, I am very familar with how the system works.'

The convention was chaired by newly-elected Galway East FF Deputy Anne Rabbette who was fullsome in her praise of the professional manner in which the convention was conducted despite the short notice.