Son set to run after Connaughton’s shock departure

Date Published: 24-Nov-2010

The shock announcement by long serving Galway East TD Paul Connaughton that he will be stepping down from politics once a general election is called will most likely result in his 28 year old son taking his father’s seat.

Since Deputy Connaughton announced his retirement earlier in the week, it was always expected that his son Cllr. Paul Connaughton jnr. would be his natural successor and this is set to happen when the party hold their Galway East convention very soon.

Affectionately known as ‘Young Paul’, he will be one of four candidates standing in the next general election for Fine Gael in Galway East with predictions that he could even top the poll.

It was no accident that he received over 2,500 first preferences at last year’s local elections when he secured a seat at his first attempt in the Ballinasloe Electoral Area.

His father has held the seat in the constituency since 1981 and is now set to be replaced by the popular youth worker who is also involved in agriculture and is hugely regarded within the Fine Gael organisation.

See full story and further coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.