BATTLE LINES DRAWN FOR FIANNA FAIL BID TO TAKE THREE SEATS

PADRAIG FAULKNER RETIREMENT MEANS THAT SEAMUS KIRK IS ONLY SITTING FF TD SEEKING RE-ELECTION September 1986

THE succession stakes start in earnest, almost as soon as the tributes to retiring Dail deputy Padraig Faulkner are paid……and there will be no shortage of runners for this race.

It means that Fianna Fail, who, given the government’s unpopularity, must hold high hopes of taking three seats in Louth again, will have only one sitting TD, Seamus Kirk, contesting the election.

Already, Mr Kirk has made his intentions known that he will resist attempts to move him into the Dundalk urban area, freeing mid-Louth and other rural parts of the constituency for another candidate.

The party is likely to seek a candidate in each of the major towns of Dundalk and Drogheda, and selection won’t be easy, such is the volume of hopefuls.

In Drogheda, the front runner may be Jimmy Mulroy, the former Louth footballer and manager, now a successful businessman.

He has proven his value at the polls in the local elections, taking a seat on both the corporation and the county council, at the first attempt, outperforming sitting deputy, Michael Bell.

However, other councillors in the town, Frank Godfrey and Tommy Murphy, may also have their eyes on the nomination.

In Dundalk, those at the top of the list are Dermot Ahern and Pearse O’Hanrahan.

Ahern, a solicitor, looks the number one.

There appears to be no chance of Tom Bellew being welcomed back into the fold. If his name is to be on the ticket, then it is likely he will have to place it there as an independent.

Seamus Kirk could also face a challenge for the nomination from former deputy, Eddie Filgate, and Nicholas McCabe, unsuccessful when Mr Faulkner did not have to stand in 1981 as ceann comhairle.

Padraig Faulkner announces his retirement at a ceanntair meeting in Dunleer.

His decision to step down has been flagged, but he refuses to confirm the news. However, shortly after the meeting starts, he makes the announcement.

No attempts are made to have him change his mind, and glowing tributes are paid to Mr Faulkner for his work for the party and the country.

Seamus Kirk says his 29 years as a member of the Oireachtas have been a political lifetime of ‘diligence, dedication and commitment to the people of the country and, particularly, Co. Louth.

‘History will record his many achievements in every ministry in which he served – Education, Gaeltacht and the old Department of Posts and Telegraphs instantly come to mind.

‘When he took charge of education, the winds of change were demanding a progressive and enlightened approach. He was more than equal to the challenge.’

Mr Kirk continues that as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, Padraig Faulkner spearheaded a £650 million development programme for the country’s telecommunication system.

He adds that Mr Faulkner’s appointment to the Council of State is ‘wise and welcome.’