Kenny expected to declare intentions next month

SPECULATION Rumours are rife that Andy Moran could be approached to run for Fine Gael in the next General Election.

Edwin McGreal

Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to confirm his intention not to run in the next General Election at a local Fine Gael party meeting next month.
Deputy Kenny, who has been a TD since 1975, is expected to inform a monthly meeting of the Castlebar District of Fine Gael of his intention to step aside.
Such a move has been widely anticipated since Mr Kenny stepped down as Taoiseach last June.
Mr Kenny has returned to his role as a full-time constituency TD but has yet to confirm plans to retire from the DΡil.
The Castlebar District of Fine Gael are meeting this Thursday but Mr Kenny is unable to attend due to a meeting of the European Parliamentary Party.
A party source told The Mayo News that Mr Kenny is expected to confirm he will not run and also that none of his family will be seeking to stand in his stead.
Mr Kenny’s daughter Aoibheann had been touted as a possible replacement but is not understood to be interested, according to the party source.
It remains unclear if Castlebar-based Senator Paddy Burke will put his name forward. If he does not, there will be a vacancy in the Castlebar area likely to be unfilled for the next General Election.
The party source predicts that Senator John O’Mahony will, in that scenario, stand in Mayo with Minister Michael Ring and Senator Michelle Mulherin. Mr O’Mahony stood unsuccessfully in Galway West (including part of South Mayo) in the 2016 General Election, after being elected in Mayo in 2007 and 2011.
However, one name linked with a possible surprise bid is Mayo football star Andy Moran. His name has been touted by many in the party as a very attractive name for the party due to his huge popularity and renowned speaking skills.
However, The Mayo News understands that no official approach has yet been made. In the event of Moran being approached and agreeing to go forward, it would likely spell the end of his fellow Ballaghaderreen counterpart John O’Mahony’s chances of running in Mayo.