And they’re off! 74 seeking election to 39 Council seats

The traditional ‘big two’ parties are fielding more than half of the total candidates with both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael running 19 hopefuls each.

By Saturday’s closing date for nominations, some 24 independent and non-party candidates had official declared and handed in their nomination papers.

The independents could include representatives of groupings such as Anti-Austerity Alliance, People Before Profit, Fís Nua, as well as former Progressive Democrats, former FF, FG and Labour candidates that ‘fell-out’ with their parties, and ‘one-issue’ candidates such as bog-cutting campaigners.

Sinn Féin is running six candidates, one more than the Labour Party, who are fielding five. Republican Sinn Féin has one representative running.

The number of seats up for grabs this time round has increased from 30 to 39 following electoral reform, which makes it easier to get elected than in 2009.

For example, in the nine-seater electoral areas a quota would be just 10%, and two-thirds of a quota, or about 6% of the vote, should be enough to get elected.

Fianna Fáil currently holds seven seats on the County Council and the ruling party Fine Gael, has 13.

Both FG and FF will be aiming to increase their representation with Tuam and Connemara in particular targeted for gains.

Sinn Féin has just one sitting Councillor but is in with a shout of making gains in each of the electoral districts – the party is riding high in the polls and would be disappointed not to have at least two seats after the votes are counted.

The last time Sinn Féin held two County Council seats was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Paddy Ruane and Frank Glynn were elected.

Labour currently doesn’t have representation on the County Council – it is struggling in the polls but will hope to be in contention for the last seat in Athenry/Oranmore, Loughrea and Ballinasloe where there is an urban working class vote.

A total of 26 of the sitting 30 County Councillors are going for re-election. Four candidates are retiring from politics including Seósamh Ó Cuaig (Ind), Tomás Mannion (FF), Tiernan Walsh (FG) and Jarlath McDonagh (FG).

For all the latest election news, see this week’s Connacht Tribune.