‘Rebel’ TD’s brother to stand for election to Galway City Council

A former Mayor of Galway and the brother of a rebel TD are among those selected to contest the local elections for Fine Gael in the city next year.

 And it has been learned that the party may add candidates in all three electoral wards over the coming weeks.

A total of five candidates were selected at the convention held in Salthill, with only one contest taking place.

John Mulholland, who lost his seat at the last City Council elections, has been chosen to contest the Galway City West ward alongside Michelle Murphy.

Meanwhile, John Walsh, brother of former Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh, has been selected to run in the Galway City East ward after he comprehensively defeated John Rabbitte, a member of the Doughiska branch, in a head to head battle.

Indeed there were two other nominations in this electoral ward, namely Shane Forde and Des O’Dowd, but they withdrew their names in advance of the convention.

In the Galway City Central electoral area, sitting councillor and Mayor of Galway Padraic Conneely was selected alongside Cllr Frank Fahy who moves from the east ward following the boundary changes that took place earlier this year.

Fine Gael have hopes of increasing their representation on Galway City Council from three to possibly five in view of the fact that there are more seats available.

There are now three more seats added to Galway City Council meaning that it rises from 15 to 18 seats.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel