FORMER TD’S WITHDRAWAL LEAVES FOUR IN THE RUNNING FOR FF GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATURE IN CAVAN/MONAGHAN

The announcement this week by former Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon that she will not be seeking a nomination to contest the next General Election for the party reduces the field of runners to four when the Cavan/Monaghan selection convention takes place in Cavan’s Hotel Kilmore next Tuesday night, December 1.

Monaghan Co Councillor for the Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District P J O’Hanlon has also decided not to put his name forward after initially indicating his candidature.

Two other members of the Co Council, Monaghan Municipal District Cathaoirleach Robbie Gallagher and Seamus Coyle of the Ballybay/Clones Municipal District remain in the race at this point in time.

Outgoing TD Brendan Smith and Co Councillor Niamh Smyth, who represents the Bailieboro/Cootehill Municipal District, are the Cavan hats in the ring.

Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it is understood that the party is likely to select one Monaghan and one Cavan candidate to contest what will be a four-seat rather than a five-seat constituency at the next national poll.

Ms Conlon cited personal and professional reasons for her decision not to seek a nomination. Deputy Principal of the St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan Town, she was elected to the Dáil in 2007 and served until 2011, when she was denied re-election as FF suffered a nationwide haemorrhage of seats in the aftermath of …