McGahon and O’Dowd win
DEPUTY Fergus O’Dowd and Dundalk based John McGahon have been selected to contest the next General Election for Fine Gael.
The selection convention took place in the Crowne Plaza last week.
Cllr McGahon replaces Peter Fitzpatrick TD who declared he won’t be contesting the election on behalf of the party.
For the other candidates, it was a case of mixed emotions.
Both Cllr Dolores Minogue and Paddy Meade decided to withdraw their names before the contest.
‘ The numbers were not there in mid Louth for me or Cllr Colm Markey to get nominated,’ Cllr Minogue stated. ‘I intend contacting head office to be added as a Mid Louth based nominee for the election. I believe the area needs representation at the highest level and I feel I can do that job.’
Cllr Paddy Meade said he was delighted with the wide spread of support he received, getting nominations from Meath East, Collon and Monasterboice. His home parish of Lobinstown is bordered by Ardee, Collon and Tullyallen.
“It would be wrong for Fine Gael to be in a position of having Fergus O’Dowd and myself both south of Ardee and no one in the Mid Louth, Dundalk to Cooley area, and so for that geographic reason, I pulled out. However, should a decision be made at a later date that a third candidate is to be added I wish to make it clear that I am that candidate,’ he declared.
Cllr Sharon Tolan, Colm Markey and Maria Doyle put their names forward and were eliminated.