Former Mayo councillor added to local election ticket by Fine Gael

Former Mayo County Councillor Michael Burke has been added to the Fine Gael team in the Claremorris electoral area to contest the local elections on May 24.

He joins outgoing councillors Tom Connolly, John Cribbin and Patsy O'Brien on the ticket in the seven-seat district.

Michael faces the challenge of winning back a seat lost by the party in the Ballinrobe area in 2014.

A statement issued by him today stated: "I am well aware of the needs and challenges the area faces and I am willing to do my very best to serve the community as I have done so in the past. Ballinrobe is the largest town in the county without a resident councillor.

“A councillor is worth approximately €1m to an area over the five-year term and I am committed to spend all his money in Ballinrobe and south Mayo.

“This part of the constituency deserves three councillors and my goal is to fill the void left for the past five years”.