Ó Neachtain in shock retirement announcement

Ó Neachtain in shock retirement announcement


Áine Ryan

IN A MAJOR shock to Fianna Fáil’s prospects, it was announced yesterday (Monday) that sitting MEP, Seán Ó Neachtain (pictured), will not contest the upcoming European Union elections on June 5. Revealing that it was the toughest decision of his life, the North-West constituency MEP said it was made because of health concerns.
However, Mr Ó Neachtain observed that he believed Fianna Fáil will still retain the seat in the election and wished former senator and candidate, Mr Paschal Mooney, well.
The Mayo News had not confirmed at time of going to press, whether Mr Pat O’Rourke, a former President of the ICMSA (Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association), will now be put forward. His name was proposed at convention level.    
“This was the toughest decision of my life to take but on medical advice, which I have received, I have been left with no option but to withdraw my name from this election contest,” said Mr Ó Neachtain.
Thanking all his supporters, he said: “I am proud of my record as an MEP. I have always sought to advance the needs of the less well-off, protect our farming, fishing and rural communities and promote cultural and linguistic diversities.”
He observed that his ‘proudest achievement in Europe was leading the campaign to ensure that the Irish language became an official working language of the European Union’.
Mr Ó Neachtain urged that ‘now is the time to embrace the European Union. Taking an isolated approach to our relations in Europe will not serve our economic interests. The EU is supporting Irish economic recovery through a number of different programmes.”
“I hope that the Irish people on June 5 next will send out a resounding message of support to candidates who fully support Ireland’s membership of the European Union. Important decisions are being taken in Europe which positively affect our daily lives,” he concluded in a statement.
In a  statement following the announcement, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he ‘fully  understands and respects the decision taken by Seán Ó Neachtain not to contest the European Parliament elections this coming June’.
“I wish Seán Ó Neachtain and his family every success for the future,” said Mr Cowen.
Reacting to the shock announcement, Mr Declan Ganley, Libertas leader and constituency candidate, said he was surprised at the news and wished him well in the coming years.
 “I was surprised to hear of Seán’s announcement this evening. He has been an honest and hard-working servant of the people of Ireland North-West. While he and I obviously had differences on a whole range of issues, nobody ever doubted Sean’s integrity, decency, or commitment to doing what he thought was right,” said Mr Ganley.