Challenge mounted to Westport Fine Gael convention result
A CHALLENGE is being mounted to the outcome of the Fine Gael selection convention in Westport last month.
Former councillor Johnny O’Malley, who lost out on securing a candidacy by a single vote, has lodged an official complaint to party headquarters in respect of a number of issues of concern.
He said the party erred by issuing a directive at the start of the convention to automatically select outgoing Councillor Tereasa McGuire in order to achieve gender balance on the ticket.
Kilmeena-based Mr. O’Malley said while legislation was introduced by the government in 2012 in order to achieve greater gender balance in the political system, the legislation did not apply to local elections.
Further, he stated, the ballot to select candidates was infringed by the fact four votes were recorded in the name of Councillor McGuire when delegates were told that her vote alone would ensure her selection.
The outcome of the ballot, after Councillor McGuire was automatically selected with four votes, was Peter Flynn (54), Austin Francis O’Malley (34) and Johnny O’Malley (33), all three having exceeded the quota of 31.
Mr. O’Malley also said that the PR system should have applied rather than the senate system.
He stated: “I want to make it clear, the matter is not a personal one against Councillor McGuire or anybody else. It is simply in the interests of fair play.
“My point is that if Councillor McGuire’s nomination was put to a vote like the rest of us, as it should have been, then my contention is that the result would have been different. That’s why I feel aggrieved.
“If the party is not prepared to uphold my appeal, then the least I deserve is to be added to the ticket.”
He said there is a groundswell of support for him to stand as a Fine Gael candidate in the Kilmeena, Newport, Fahy and Glenhest areas, and more so since Fianna Fáil declined to add a candidate in this area.
“I have remained active in the community since losing my seat five years ago. And the people in the areas I represent want that seat back,” he added.