A fourth independent candidate to run in Westport area

A FOURTH independent candidate is set to contest the Mayo local elections on May 24 in the four-seat Westport electoral area.

Shane Fitzgerald, who served as an elected member of Leixlip Town Council from 2004 to 2014, has announced his decision to run.

He joins three other independent candidates in the field, namely outgoing Councillor Christy Hyland, former Fine Gael councillor Johnny O'Malley and Newport's Darragh McGee.

A native of Kilmaine, Shane has been involved in the business life of Westport for the past ten years through his own enterprise, Carraig Flowers.

He stated: "I hope to bring many of the skills and experiences I gained from my involvement in local community matters in Leixlip - including ideas for tourism, business and the environment - back to my native Mayo and to the people of Westport, Louisburgh and Newport."