Sean Conlan to run as Independent

Cavan-Monaghan TD Sean Conlan has announced he is to run as an independent in the next general election.

The former Fine Gael TD has said he feels he can speak more freely as an independent about the North-South Interconnector and other issues affecting his constituents.

He said he legally represented the Monaghan Anti Pylon Committee before he entered national politics and that it is an issue that remains close to him.

Deputy Conlan said that he has informed the party of his decision.

The move comes just hours after local Monaghan Cllr Hugh McElvaney also resigned from Fine Gael, issuing his resignation last night.

In a statement to The Anglo-Celt this afternoon, he said: 'I have announced my resignation from Fine Gael and will be running as an Independent Candidate in the upcoming General Election.

'It was my intention to make the announcement at the County Monaghan Anti Pylon meeting last night but decided to reflect on my decision over night and I am happy with the decision that I am making.

'I have been involved with the Anti Pylon Campaign since before I became involved in National Politics. I was their legal representative at the last North South Interconnector Oral Hearing in 2010. My objection to the over grounding of this project is something which I feel very deeply about.

'I have felt limited in what I wanted to say in relation to how the people of Monaghan, Cavan and Meath have been treated in relation to this issue and other issues. I now believe I will be unhindered and better able to represent and express the views of the people in an open and fearless manner going forward and will continue to work hard to ensure their best interests are served.

'I have been involved in Fine Gael my whole life as was my father and grand father and I will always be Fine Gael at heart. This was an extremely tough personal decision for me to make but I truly feel it was the correct one.'