Michael Carty looks set to seek Fianna Fáil nomination

Michael Commins

FORMER Fianna FΡil councillor Michael Carty looks set to enter the party’s selection convention for the upcoming elections in May. The Knock based publican was invited to the Claremorris Comhairle Ceanntair meeting on Saturday night where members discussed plans for the Council elections in a few months time.
It is understood that a number of members sought a declaration of interest from Michael Carty in relation to letting his name go forward for selection and that there was a positive response from the former councillor.
Michael was co-opted to Mayo County Council on the election of his brother John to DΡil Eireann and served as a councillor for five and a half years. He narrowly lost out in the 2009 election when the party fielded three candidates in a relatively small area. Local party analysts believed afterwards that this strategy led to the loss of a Fianna FΡil seat in the region.
“I have been getting a lot of calls in recent weeks to consider letting my name go forward again,” said Michael Carty yesterday (Monday). “There are a lot of things to consider in taking that decision but there was plenty of encouragement from members in Claremorris on Saturday night.
“Members are awaiting directions from party headquarters in relation to team selection, numbers and strategy. I’ll see where things go from here,” said Mr Carty.
The re-drawn Claremorris Municipal Council area will be a six-seat constituency in May. Outgoing Fianna Fail councillor Damien Ryan is the only declared candidate for the party right now. Other names being mentioned as potential convention candidates are Michael Nally, Rockfield, Claremorris, and former councillor Pat McHugh from Ballindine.