ELECTION 2024: An overview of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Local election candidates so far and the parties they will represent
On June 7 the people of Sligo will be voting in the Local and European Election. John Comiskey - AKA ‘The Tally Man’ - in his latest column for the takes a look at the landscape of the BallymoteTubbercurry Local Electoral Area who, to date, 14 candidates
BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY Local Electoral Area is the largest by area of the three Electoral Areas in County Sligo. At its widest point from near Ballyfarnon to Enniscrone it is 70 kilometres. It is also the largest electorally having seven seats on Sligo County Council. As the name suggests the two major towns are Ballymote and Tubbercurry it also has thriving beauty areas along the Wild Atlantic Way. Easkey, Dromore West and Enniscrone are prominent. The area is rural and has a large population of farmers. Traditionally a conservative area it has been represented by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members, although this has changed in recent times with the emergence of strong Independents from the area. It also had a female representative, the late Margaret Gormley for 40 years until her death in 2019 and is the only one area not having a female representative.
There are fourteen candidates confirmed so far in this year’s contest polling for which is on June 7th. The outgoing Councillors was made up of three Fine Gael, two Fianna Fáil and two Independents. All seek re-election apart from Fianna Fáil’s Martin Baker who is retiring.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael each have four candidates, Sinn Féin in a determined effort are running three, while the Irish Freedom Party have one and the two outgoing Independents. There are three candidates based in both Geevagh and Tubbercurry, two each in Ballymote, Dromore West and Enniscrone while Ballinacarrow and Gurteen have one each.
FIANNA FÁIL
Again, with four candidates, Liam Brennan, Barry Gallagher, Keith Henry and Paul Taylor. It is a first time out for Liam, and he will be hoping to garner a sizable vote that traditionally went to Martin Baker while Barry and Keith will hope for better fortune than in 2019 where Paul Taylor was the lead performer. In that election FF had just over 5,000 first preference votes or 31.5%. Will need to improve if they are to take three of the seven seats available. An arduous task.
SINN FÉIN
With three candidates who are strategically based geographically in the area Jason Gorman, Donal O’Connor and Jennifer Van Aswegen will work hard for Sinn Féin to increase the first preference vote of 425 or 2.6% last time. It is probably ambitious for two seats but one would boost the party representation to all three electoral areas and will give an indication of future General Election hopes. Targeting the large independent vote FG are particularly vulnerable.
FINE GAEL
Have also decided to run four candidates with community activist Patrick Cleary, a first-time candidate, joining outgoing councillors Martin Connolly, Gerard Mullaney and Dara Mulvey. A total of 5,238 first preference votes last time or just 32.7% saw them take three seats. Will need a combined effort to maintain the current status.
IRISH FREEDOM PARTY
James Conway is the candidate who polled 1,354 first preference votes or 2.25% in the General Election of 2020 as an Independent. He now stands for the IFP and from a farming background will leave no sod unturned to gather support. Could this signal a surprise and show a move to the right?
INDEPENDENT
We have two independent candidates in this electoral area Michael Clarke and Joe Queenan, and both are seeking re-election. With 1,562 (9.75%) and 1,737 (10.85%) first preference votes respectively in 2019 both have a solid foundation they will benefit from the present veer away from established parties. However, they will not need to take the electorate for granted and know that each vote must be asked for.
Overall, a constituency that will have surprise and where with all the pronouncements of gender equality -we have only one female candidateBallymote/Tubbercurry LEA will be watched for a clear signal as to how a Dáil election might result.