Will it be third time lucky in Galway for Labour’s John McDonagh?

Bradley Bytes – a sort of political column with Dara Bradley

John McDonagh is planning another run in the Local Elections in Galway City Central.

He was the third leg of a Labour stool that wobbled in 2014; former poll-topper Billy Cameron got a scare but retained his seat, Colette Connolly lost her seat, and John McDonagh wasn’t at the races.

He bounced back in 2019 when Comrade Cameron retired – as did Colette, successfully running as an Independent rather than for Labour – but McDonagh narrowly missed out on winning a seat in City Central as Shantalla instead plumped for Connolly and the Green Party’s Martina O’Connor.

Without claiming a seat, the Social Democrats had a strong showing from Sharon Nolan, too, which gobbled up traditional socially-conscious Labour support.

Rumour has it, McDonagh, a community activist, is planning one last attempt to get elected to City Hall.

Will he get a Labour Party nomination to contest the election – well the candidates aren’t exactly queuing up for the party, now are they? – and can he make it third time lucky?

Meanwhile, there’s still no sign of a ‘Bacik Bounce’ for new party leader Ivana Bacik.

And no sign either of Labour in Galway West unveiling local election candidates for City East, a running mate for Níall McNelis in City West, or any candidates for Galway County Council.

This is a shortened preview version of this column. For more Bradley Bytes, see the January 20 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.