Carey and Reilly declare intent to run for Fianna Fáil in Belmullet

Carey and Reilly declare intent to run for Fianna Fáil in Belmullet


Edwin McGreal

Two Belmullet-based men have declared their intent to seek a nomination to run for Fianna Fáil in next year’s local elections.
Auctioneer Derek Reilly and farmer and rural social scheme supervisor Seán Carey both told a meeting of the Belmullet Comhairle Cheantar of Fianna Fáil on Monday, June 24, that they would each be putting their names forward at convention as potential candidates.
Derek Reilly (33) has been active within Fianna Fáil in the last couple of years as Secretary of the Belmullet Cumann and PRO of the Belmullet Area Comhairle Cheantar. One of the founding members of the Erris Chamber of Commerce, Mr Reilly also serves as a fireman locally. He is heavily involved with both Business Network International and Junior Chamber International.
“I am looking forward to the Local Area Fianna Fáil convention at the end of September where my fellow party members will decide if I should represent them in next year’s local election,” he said, last week.
Seán Carey, from Gladree, Belmullet is a long-serving member of the party and has been chairman of the Belmullet Comhairle Cheantar for sixteen years. He has been heavily involved with the local Irish Farmers’ Association and many other local community groups. He worked with former councillor Tim Quinn for many years. Mr Quinn lost his seat in 2009, after holding it for 35 years.  
“A good few people approached me and I decided to put my name forward,” Mr Carey told The Mayo News yesterday. “We’ll see how it goes in convention. I’ve good faith in the local membership,” he added.
It now brings to nine the number of people who have indicated they will be putting their name forward for the party at convention for the new West Mayo area. It is not known yet how many candidates the party will run to contest the seven seats in the new electoral area, but it is expected to be not more than four.