Fine Gael deny claims of councillor’s return to Mayo party ranks

Fine Gael has moved to dispel claims that independent Hollymount-based Councillor Patsy O’Brien is set to return to the party.

The party’s general secretary John Carroll has written to members of the organisation in south Mayo setting out the confirmed ticket in Claremorris electoral area.

Mr. Carroll said Fine Gael selected three candidates for the local electoral area at a selection convention last June.

The three candidates are outgoing councillors Michael Burke, Ballinrobe, and Tom Connolly, Claremorris, along with first-time candidate, Ballyhaunis-based Alma Gallagher.

“The three candidates named are the only Fine Gael candidates contesting the 2024 local elections on behalf of Fine Gael in the Claremorris local electoral area,” Mr. Carroll said.

“Fine Gael will not be adding any additional candidates/councillors to the ticket either before or after the local elections.

“Fine Gael are not in discussions with anyone in relation to running as an additional Fine Gael candidate or an existing councillor. Equally, this will not change following the local elections.

“Any claims or speculation otherwise is simply untrue.”

Councillor O’Brien topped the poll in the Claremorris district in the last two local elections as a Fine Gael candidate, creating history in 2019 by registering the highest ever first preference vote – 2,955 – by a candidate in the local elections in the county.

He was first elected to the council in 2004 and is widely tipped to run in the next general election.

He has not been a member of Fine Gael since March 2020 after the party removed him as a candidate in the senate elections, which he subsequently contested unsuccessfully as an independent.