O’Donoghue won’t contest local elections

FORMER Ceann Comhairle and minister John O’Donoghue won’t contest the local elections for Fianna Fáil in Co Kerry next year.

The former justice minister has withdrawn his attempt to seek a nomination in one of the country’s four electoral districts.

The party confirmed Mr O’Donoghue (62) withdrew his name yesterday morning, but gave no reason why he had done so.

The selection convention for the Kenmare municipal district, which includes Mr O’Donoghue’s native Cahersiveen, is scheduled for December 17 in Waterville.

There was some surprise locally when news broke in October that Mr O’Donoghue was apparently entering the ring and seeking nomination.

The three sitting Fianna Fáil councillors – Waterville-based Norma Moriarty, and Glenbeigh Killorglin-based Michael Cahill and John Francis Flynn – are all going forward.

Reaction

There was some speculation he was testing the waters and there has been a mixed response, particularly in local media, to the decision.

Since losing his Dáil seat in 2011, Mr O’Donoghue has been keen to re-enter politics.

Cahersiveen was repre- sented by both his late mother and father, as well as by both Mr O’Donoghue himself and his brother Paul. It no longer has its own local representative.

Mr O’Donoghue, who qualified for the Bar since leaving the Dáil, has remained an active member of Fianna Fáil locally.

He is understood to have joined at least one local development organisation in recent weeks.