Mayo Fine Gael select Alan Dillon and Keira Keogh to run in general election

FINE Gael TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon and Westport-based Keira Keogh have been selected as the two party candidates to contest the general election with a third candidate expected to be added to the ticket.

Minister Dillon and Keira Keogh were the only candidates to contest the Fine Gael general election convention which took place this evening in the TF Royal Hotel in Castlebar and as a result delegates were not required to vote.

Galway West TD, Hildegard Naughton who chaired the selection convention told the delegates that the national executive had directed they select two candidates but they have the authority to add extra candidates if need be.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Ballina-based Cllr John O'Hara withdrew his name on Saturday morning but it is understood that he is now seeking to be added to the ticket.

The Bonniconlon native could not be considered for selection at the convention as he had formally withdrawn his candidacy but it is understood he will have talks with the party's national executive this week who can decide whether to add him to the ticket. There will be pressure on the party to add a third candidate from north Mayo and challenge sitting Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary for a seat.

The selection convention was chaired by Galway West TD, Hildegard Naughton and attended by sitting TD Michael Ring who is retiring from politics. MEP Maria Walsh and former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Glowing tributes were paid to Deputy Ring who has been a TD for the constituency since 1994 and he received a standing ovation from the delegates.

Deputy Ring told the delegates that he was going to miss the selection conventions but will remain active in party politics on the ground.

The Westport-based TD said he was proud to nominate Keira Keogh as a candidate to defend the seat he won in 1994 and ensured the delegates that he was 100 percent behind her. He praised Keogh who works as a child behaviour consultant in Westport for having the guts to put her name forward and predicted that when she is elected she will become a minister.

Keogh was seconded by Cllr Gerry Coyle and in accepting her nomination she pledged to do everything she could to retain the seat won by Deputy Ring and asked the delegates to have faith in her.

Minister Dillon was nominated by Mayo Fine Gael party secretary, Finian Bourke and Martina Calvey, Chairperson of Castlebar Fine Gael branch and member of Fine Gael National Executive.

He said that he was honoured to be a TD for the county and that he was confident that with the support of party members, Fine Gael will hold onto their two seats.

Hildegard Naughton echoed the comments of former Taoiseach Enda Kenny who told the party's last convention that this would be the mother and father of all election battles. She said she too was confident that the party can hold onto its two seats in Mayo and urged party members to remind the public that a strong and stable government is what the country needs.