Mayo TD believes TG4 election poll shows Keogh on course to win seat

Outgoing Mayo TD Michael Ring has welcomed the results of the latest TG4 opinion poll which he claims puts Westport Fine Gael candidate Keira Keogh in line for a seat.

The results of a TG4/Ipsos B&A Mayo constituency poll revealed on Nuacht TG4 show current TD and former county footballer Alan Dillon out in front on 17 per cent, reaching the quota and guaranteeing him a seat.

He is followed by sitting TD, Rose Conway-Walsh of Sinn Féin on 13 percent with Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary on 11 percent. Ballina-based Fine Gael candidate Mark Duffy is joined by former Fianna Fáil TD Lisa Chambers on 10 percent with Keogh further back on 8 percent.

Despite trailing behind on 8 percent, Ring believes that Keogh is well placed to take a seat and claims she is the only viable candidate to secure representation for the west of the county.

He warned of the 'serious consequences if the region loses its voice in Dáil Éireann'.

“This election is make-or-break for this area,” said Deputy Ring. “The TG4 poll shows the stakes could not be higher. Keira Keogh is the only candidate in this area of the county who can make it across the line but only if people join me in backing her. We need balance across the county and we will suffer if towns have multiple TD’s while large parts of the county are unrepresented.

“Mayo needs a fighter in Leinster House—someone who will stand up for our roads, our schools, our health services, and our rural communities. Keira Keogh is that fighter. We’ve seen what happens when areas are left without a strong TD - investment dries up, local priorities are ignored, and we are left playing catch-up.”

There are 16 candidates fighting it out for the five seats on offer with the poll also showing that Independent councillor Patsy O'Brien and Aontú councillor Paul Lawless are both on 7 percent and Sinn Féin's second candidate, Cllr Gerry Murray on 5 percent. Fine Gael's fourth candidate Martina Jennings is on 4 percent.

“Every vote will count in this election,” said Ring. “I am calling on people to come together and back Keira Keogh. She’s the candidate who will stand up for you and deliver for our county. We cannot afford to lose this seat and constituency office and I have every confidence that Keira will continue my tradition of delivering for Mayo.”