The Fine Gael Parliamentary will step up their attempts tonight to appoint a candidate to replace Sinead Maguire in contesting the next general election in the Sligo/Leitrim/South Donegal and North Roscommon constituency.
Ocean FM news understands that the party general secretary, Tom Curran will attend tonight’s consistency strategy meeting which will address the issue of selecting a candidate to run along with Frank Feighan in the upcoming election which is expected to take place in 2020.
It’s been a far from ideal process so far for Fine Gael with both candidates that were originally selected Gerry Reynolds and Sinead Maguire withdrawing their names.
It’s understood that the party will follow a similar process as the one used in the selection of Frank Feighan in replacing Gerry Reynolds, where interviews with all interested potential candidates were conducted before Party HQ took the decision to appoint the current Senator.
A Fine Gael spokesperson declined to confirm exactly what interested individuals have indicated whether or not they would be interested in allowing their names go forward for consideration.
Local speculation has gone into overdrive as regards who may or may not be interested in running. The likes of current sitting TD Tony McLoughlin, former TD John Perry, former senator Michael Comiskey, Former Leitrim Councillor John McCartin, , well know party officials Noel Merrick and former local election candidate Blane Gaffney have all been touted as possible contenders.
Another name being put forward by some party members is that of sitting Sligo Drumcliff Councillor Thomas Walsh.
Speaking earlier to Ocean FM news on his Party’s plan’s for Brexit, Walsh admitted that he approached about running and is currently considering his position
With the General election according to the Taoiseach likely to take place next Summer, Fine Gael will be anxious to finalise their new look team as they attempt to hold on to their one existing seat in the consistency that takes in parts of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon.
