FG add three names to local election ticket

Fine Gael's national executive has added three candidates to contest the local elections in Cavan this May.

While the local branches of Fine Gael had elected their preferred candidates for the three municipal districts in recent weeks, the party's national executive met yesterday (Wednesday) and added an extra candidate for each area. 

Shirley Hall has been added in the Bailieborough-Cootehill local election area, Thomas (T.P.) O’Reilly in the Ballyjamesduff local election area; and Sean McKieranan in the Cavan-Belturbet local election area.

All three will now contest the local elections on Friday, May 24 with their party colleagues. Shirley Hall joins Cllr Carmel Brady, Cllr Val Smith and John O’Hare who were all selected to run for Fine Gael in Bailieborough-Cootehill local election area convention on February 12 last.

“I am honoured to be running for Fine Gael on a local level,” said Ms Hall.

Ms Hall is married to Kenneth and comes from a dairy and poultry farming background. They have three children who are involved with Knockbride GAA club and county football/hurling.

She is assistant treasurer of the local St.Vincent de Paul and is a board member of the Bailieborough Development Association. She is also chair of St. Aidan’s Comprehensive Parents Association.

Thomas (T.P.) O’Reilly joins Cllr Winston Bennett and Trevor Smith who were selected to run for Fine Gael in the Ballyjamesduff local election area on January 29.

Mr O'Reilly is a farmer and a member of the IFA. He also works as a supervisor with a local construction firm and is a member of Ramor United GFC. 

T.P. said: “I am honoured to join the Fine Gael ticket in Cavan and will fight strongly for Virginia and the surrounding areas to ensure ongoing funding and inward investment.”

Sean McKiernan, who was a county councillor from 2007-2014. Surprisingly the Bailiborough man is running in the Cavan-Belturbet area. He joins Cllr Madeleine Argue and Cllr Peter McVitty on the ticket, both of whom were selected to run for Fine Gael on February 5.

Mr McKiernan is a self-employed communications and HR consultant and formerly worked as a development officer for Mental Health Ireland. He is a member of Cavan/Monaghan ETB and has experience as a voluntary board member in the areas of mental health, childcare and social housing provision.

Mr McKiernan said: “It is a huge honour to be invited by the Cavan Town Branch of Fine Gael to contest the Local Elections in the Cavan-Belturbet Electoral Area, and to have this endorsed by the executive council of Fine Gael at national level this week. 

“I look forward to working with Cllr Madeleine Argue in Cavan Town, and Cllr Peter McVitty in the wider Cavan-Belturbet Electoral Area to win three seats for the Fine Gael party in May.

“If elected I will work to ensure that both the enterprise and tourism offering of Cavan Town and the wider county is properly marketed and developed.”