Mayo general election candidate launches campaign

Fine Gael candidate Martina Jennings has officially launched her general election campaign in Mayo.

The Mayo Roscommon Hospice CEO held her campaign launch in the McWilliam Park Hotel earlier this week.

The large crowd in attendance observed a minute's silence in memory of the late John O'Mahony TD before MC for the event, Mike Finnerty, introduced the special guests.

_{Martina Jennings speaking at the launch of her General Election Campaign at the McWilliam Park Hotel (Photo: Trish Forde)}

Former MEP and TD Jim Higgins gave a ringing endorsement of Ms Jennings' candidacy, highlighting her experience in the commercial and voluntary sectors, her upbringing in a farming family and her in-depth knowledge of the needs of the people of Mayo.

Minister of State Alan Dillon TD and Councillor Michael Burke told of their delight upon hearing that Martina Jennings was joining the Fine Gael ticket. 

Minister Dillon praised her ‘energy and ability’ and felt that Fine Gael had pulled off ‘a significant coup’ by getting someone of her character on board.

MEP Maria Walsh was the keynote speaker at the launch, emphasising the qualities Martina Jennings would bring to the campaign and to the Fine Gael party. 

The MEP took part in a question and answer session with Luke Gibbons of Young Fine Gael, a recent Mayo Young Person of the Year, Climate Change researcher, and PhD candidate.

To sustained applause, Mr Gibbons spoke passionately about the need for more housing, better public services, and transport links to enable young people to plan their future in the county. 

The upcoming general election candidate, Ms Jennings, then took to the stage and thanked her esteemed guests, family, campaign team, and supporters. 

She spoke about how her upbringing, her career to date, and her lived experience had led her to enter the political arena. 

She outlined her priorities for a Cancer Centre serving the people of the West and Northwest, increased payments with reduced regulation for farmers, and continued support for working families.

She gave a commitment to work ‘tirelessly’ for the people of Mayo in Dáil Éireann and in her constituency if elected. 

She promised to be a strong and fearless advocate and to listen to people, something she has been praised for doing right throughout her career, her concluding words being: “I will not let you down.”