Fianna Fail selects Tony McCormack to contest next general election in Offaly

THE Fianna Fail party has selected Tullamore man Cllr Tony McCormack to contest the next general election.

The party's selection convention in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Monday night also heard that a second candidate may be added to the ticket.

Cllr Claire Murray, Rhode, had been expected to seek a nomination at the convention but withdrew beforehand.

Cllr McCormack then defeated the other two hopefuls, Cllrs Eddie Fitzpatrick, Cloneyhurke and Cllr Peter Ormond, Shinrone.

It will be the first time for Cllr McCormack to contest a general election. A Tullamore-based businessman who runs a printing enterprise, he was comfortably re-elected to the council during the summer and is the current Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council.

The votes received by the three councillors seeking the nomination were not announced but it was expected that Cllr Ormond (pictured below) would be ahead on the first count because there were more voting members present from the Birr Electoral Area than Tullamore or Edenderry.

Up to 360 members from across the county were entitled to vote and turnout was estimated at about 90%.  One party employee said the Offaly convention was the best attended of all those held so far.

There are three seats in the Offaly Dail constituency and Fianna Fail will, at the very least, be hoping to retain the seat vacated by Clara man Barry Cowen following his election to the European Parliament this summer.

The next Dail election, which could take place as soon as November or as late as next spring, will be the first one without the Cowen name on the ballot paper since 1965.

The late Ber Cowen was first elected in 1969 and after his sudden death in 1984, his son Brian entered the Dail when he won the by-election.

Brian Cowen went on to become a government minister and Taoiseach and when he retired from politics in 2011 his younger brother Barry held the seat.

Both Brian Cowen and Barry Cowen were present at the convention which was chaired by Laois Fianna Fail TD and junior minister Sean Fleming.

Addressing the convention after Cllr McCormack's selection was announced, Cllr Murray said she was hopeful a second candidate will be added from the Edenderry area.

She said she had pulled out so that Cllr Fitzpatrick would receive “every possible vote” from the Edenderry Area.

“I thought he deserved every possible chance to win this convention,” said Cllr Murray, recalling that the Edenderry area had not had a sitting TD since Ger Connolly in 1997.

Cllr Fitzpatrick, in his remarks to those gathered in the DEW Williams suite, thanked Cllr Murray and said he would be asking that he be given another chance to run again.

“North Offaly has certainly been left behind for a long number of years,” he stated, confirming that he believed the party could win two seats in Offaly.

“I certainly would look forward to that challenge,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick (pictured below).

Cllr Ormond called on party supporters to unite behind Cllr McCormack. “We've had some great candidates in the past, some great representation... so the onus is now falling on Cllr McCormack.”

In his speech, Cllr McCormack thanked those who voted for him and his family who supported him. “I know that if I'm elected I will follow in the footsteps of great men,” he said.

He said it was very humbling for him to be selected by his peers. “The hard work starts tomorrow morning. We must go forward as a united county and a united party,” said the Tullamore man.

“It's only by working as a team we'll win the seat.”

Barry Cowen made a very well received speech (pictured below) and said the party membership would do everything it could to ensure that “this town and county” had a Fianna Fail TD.

The MEP hailed the “progress” made by the current Government in the face of Brexit, a cost of living crisis and other challenges.

He said further progress would be made on housing and said the supports for agriculture should be retained.

Mr Cowen referred to “republican ideals” such as those of ensuring “work is rewarded” and that those who can't help themselves are supported.

“That's the sort of republican ethos that has held us in good stead. That's the sort of republican ethos that allows you to be in a position to ensure that we elect councillors across the county, that we elect representatives that can go to the Dail, that can contribute to policy, that can contribute to government.”

He said Fianna Fail members get into politics to make the country better, not to be in opposition for opposition's sake.

He said the aim would have to be to win a second seat in Offaly. “We're a party of government. We're a party that wants to lead government. You have to remember, we won more seats than anyone else in the local elections. We doubled our seats in the European elections.”

Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen did not address the convention but as he left he remarked: “The ball is in, the game is on.”