FG faithful give O’Shea the nod in Cork North West
AS had been widely anticipated, former County Mayor Cllr John Paul O’Shea has been added to Fine Gael ticket to contest the next general election in Cork North West alongside Agriculture Minister Michael Creed TD.
The 34-year-old had sat on the Independent bench in Cork County Council for almost a decade prior to his joining the Fine Gael party in February.
At the time Cllr O’Shea, who narrowly lost out on a Dáil seat at the 2016 general election, told The Corkman that it was always his intention to run again at the next election. “Ultimately, that will be a decision for party members,” he said.
Last Friday evening more than 150 party faithful from across the constituency made their decision when they gathered at the Wallis Arms in Millstreet for the selection convention.
As it transpired, Minister Creed and Cllr O’Shea were the only candidates proposed and seconded, with convention chair, Minister for State Brendan Griffin, formally accepting their nominations without the need for a vote.
Speaking to The Corkman after the convention a delighted Cllr O’Shea said he felt “honoured and privileged” that the party had placed their faith in him.
He said the experience that he has gained in public office since being elected onto Cork County Council on 2009 would stand him in good stead in the future. “Representing the people of the Kanturk/Mallow has given me an great insight into he needs of the people in the area and how we as public representatives can assist our constituents at local level. I am looking forward now to bringing this experience and knowledge to the national stage,” said Cllr O’Shea.
He said that Fine Gael had a “strong track record” of electing two TD’s in Cork North West, something he was confident would happen again.
“Since the formation of the current constituency, the people of Cork North West have put their faith in Fine Gael on several occasions to lead them over that period. We have been well served by previous Dáil deputies such as Aíne Collins, Gerard Murphy, the late Donal Creed and my good friend and neighbour Frank Crowley,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“I am confident Minister Creed and I can achieve two seats at the next general election. I am now looking forward to meeting the people of the constituency over the coming weeks and asking them to put their faith in me and Fine Gael to lead them over the next Dáil term,” he added.