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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Cllr John O'Hara says he will concentrate on local politics as a councillor
A MAYO councillor has withdrawn his name as a Fine Gael candidate to run in the next general election just a day before the party's selection convention.
Ballina-based councillor John O'Hara announced this afternoon that he will not contest the Fine Gael general election selection convention in the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar on Sunday evening.
The current Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council was a front-runner to be selected after fellow Ballina-based party member Michelle Mulherin dropped out of the candidacy race and put her support behind O'Hara.
Speaking on Mid West Radio this afternoon, Cllr O'Hara said he had thought about running for a Dáil seat but felt it came too soon after he had topped the poll in the local elections and he wanted to continue to represent the people in Mayo County Council.
“The people have put their faith in me and I think it would be very unfair to come out at this stage and decide not to stand by the people who looked after me. I gave it a bit of thought but I don't think it was fair to go up the ranks and leave them. It is part of my duty as a local councillor to stay with them because that is why they voted for me.
“I did not tell them I was going for the national [election]... it was a great honour to be asked to do it but it is a different commitment. I could not make up my mind over the last few days after being asked to run. That is the decision I came up with and I will be there to represent the local people at all times and to thank them for all their help over the years,” he said.
The withdrawal of both O'Hara and Mulherin means that no Ballina-based candidate will be considered for selection. Last week, five names had been put forward for party delegates to choose from but former TD Michelle Mulherin withdrew her name as did Ballyhaunis-based councillor Alma Gallagher.
The only candidates who will be putting their names forward for selection are sitting TD Alan Dillon and Westport-based Keira Keogh.
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