Former RTÉ reporter Mullooly to run for Europe in new party

FORMER RTÉ journalist Ciaran Mullooly is set to announce he is standing in the European elections for the newly formed party Independent Ireland.

Mr Mullooly, pictured, has been considering his options for some time.

Fianna Fáil initially approached him to run for Europe or the Dáil after he retired from the national broadcaster, but these plans ultimately did not proceed.

Mr Mullooly, who was the midlands correspondent for RTÉ, was approached to run for Fianna Fáil in 2000, to replace former party leader Albert Reynolds, who was standing down at the subsequent election.

Yesterday, Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue, a founding member of the new Independent Ireland party, welcomed Mr Mullooly into the fold.

He said of the new addition: ‘He knows agriculture, he’s a very well-briefed man across housing and infrastructure and what the country needs and he understands how one small change in policy can have a knock-on effect on people’s lives.

‘He has common sense and he has the ability to fight for us in Europe.’ Mr O’Donoghue also said that the party would be announcing a ‘surprise’ candidate to run in Dublin next week; however, he was unable to reveal who it is due to the work commitments of the candidate. ‘You will know them,’ he said.

Mr Mullooly’s entrance into the race means that TD Michael Fitzmaurice, a member of Independent Ireland, will not be standing in the European elections.

Midlands–North-West looks set to be one of the most hotly contested constituencies in the European elections, taking place in June.

Mr Mullooly is standing against Barry Cowen, Lisa Chambers and Niall Blaney of Fianna Fáil; ex-jockey Nina Carberry and former Rose of Tralee winner Maria Walsh for Fine Gael; Independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan; and Pauline O’Reilly for the Greens. It comes as Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien yesterday confirmed polling for the local, European and Limerick mayoral elections will take place on June 7.

Mr Mullooly was not available to comment last night. A married father-oftwo, he is the author of several books and worked for RTÉ for 27 years before retiring in 2021.

‘He has the ability to fight for us’