ELECTION 2024: An overview of the Sligo-Strandhill 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 Sligo-Strandhill Local Electoral Area where, to date, 12 candidates ha

THE Sligo-Strandhill Local Electoral Area, also called Borough District of Sligo, is the smallest of the three areas by area on Sligo County Council.

It is the most densely populated area and therefore means less traveling for candidates as they seek support for election.

It will elect six representatives as councillors on June 7.

In 2019 the area returned two Fianna Fáil councillors, with Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, Fine Gael and Independent each having one councillor. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil each had women elected, Sinead Maguire and Rosaleen O’Grady respectively and both have now retired.

FIANNA FÁIL

Outgoing councillor Tom MacSharry who was first elected in 2014 and he was successful in retaining his seat in 2019 with 1042 first preference votes. With ten years as a councillor Tom is now the longest serving Fianna Fáil member to seek election. Joining him on the Fianna Fáil ticket is Seamus Kilgannon, a former councillor who failed in his re-election bid in 2019 who had been elected in 2014. For many years Fianna Fáil have had two members elected in this area and should feel confident that they will do so this time but, it is a challenge.

FINE GAEL

No outgoing member and have taken the decision to only run one candidate -a sign of fear or defend what we have by being cautious? That candidate is Fergal Nealon from a well known political family he is the son of the late Ted, who was TD and Junior Minister in Sligo/Leitrim. It is his first venture in the political arena. Should hold the seat.

SINN FÉIN

Outgoing councillor Arthur Gibbons an experienced politician who served on Sligo Borough Council from 1999 until 2014, and in 2020 was co-opted to fill the vacancy when Chris MacManus was promoted to MEP, is joined by Pauline Donnelly from Sligo town and her maiden family McNiffe are from Union Place. A determination of Sinn Féin to take two of the six seats in a contest where Sinn Féin has no MacManus name on the ballot paper for the first time since 1985 and could provide a woman on the Council for this area.

LABOUR

Cork native Nessa Cosgrove has been active in local politics since before her arrival to Sligo. She had a credible performance representing Labour in 2019 when she polled 470 first preference votes before she was eliminated on the fifth count. A strong contender to win a seat for Labour.

GREEN PARTY

Film producer John Gogan is the party representative at a time when everyone is talking about Climate Change and its effects. John is experienced in politics having contested local elections in Dromahair and in the General Election of 2011 in Sligo/ Leitrim. He will have a formidable task with the current opposition.

AONTÚ

A new party on the scene in local politics Aontú is represented by newcomer to elections Graham Monaghan. A resolute and committed activist in Sligo, Graham will have a difficult job to promote the ideals of Party founder Peadar Toibin on this occasion.

PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT

Gino O’Boyle is the outgoing councillor first co-opted in 2015 to fill the vacant seat left by the untimely death of his father. Gino successfully retained his seat in 2019 with a first preference vote of 899. He took the sixth and final seat with a margin of sixty-four votes. He knows he must work hard to maintain the momentum this time but should be in the final shakeup for another term.

INDEPENDENT

We have three candidates, Diarmuid McConville, Finbarr Filan and outgoing Declan Bree.

Diarmuid McConville is a new candidate and is also contesting the local election in the Manorhamilton area of County Leitrim. Will need to put in a determined effort if he is to be considered as a potential councillor.

Finbarr Filan has previously contested the local election of 2019 as a member of RENUA when he secured 315 first preference votes. He also was a Renua candidate in the 2016 General Election. Involved in many organisations this will provide a challenge in what is his best opportunity to become a local representative.

Declan Bree is the outgoing councillor with vast experience having been first elected as a member of Sligo County Council in 1974. This is his 10th successive local election which leaves him a total service so far of 50 years. Despite his previous achievements Declan knows that each election is fraught with danger and will put every effort into making it a successful campaign towards 55 years as a local representative for the outspoken socialist.

Nominations close on May 18 and this will then become a keen contest for all. We know for certain that there will be two new councillors, it could be three if not four.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more columns from John Comiskey in the run-up to the election on Friday, June 7.