Cllr John Naughten announces Dáil bid

Fine Gael’s Cllr John Naughten has today confirmed that he will contest the Fine Gael convention, due to be held later this month, with the aim of contesting the next General Election in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.

Senator Aisling Dolan has previously made it clear that she will be seeking the party nomination. It remains to be seen whether or not other candidates emerge.

Cllr Naughten’s brother, Denis, is a former Fine Gael TD, now in the Independent ranks. Deputy Denis Naughten previously announced that he will not be contesting the forthcoming election. Their late father, Liam Naughten, was an Oireachtas members for many years.

Speaking about his decision, Cllr John Naughten said: “I was contacted some time ago by the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who asked me to consider contesting the forthcoming General Election.

“Over the last number of weeks I have been inundated with requests from people within the Fine Gael organisation, both locally and nationally, as well as other local organisations asking if I would contest the forthcoming General Election.

“Following the redrawing of the Roscommon-Galway constituency, I feel my geographical location leaves me ideally placed to deliver a Dáil seat and I believe I am the candidate who can unite our party locally, rebuild it and secure a Dáil seat in the next General Election”.

Cllr Naughten has been a member of Roscommon County Council for 21 years. He was most recently re-elected to the Council in June of this year.

Cllr Naughten added: “I am very grateful to all the people throughout the constituency and further afield who have contacted me over the last number of weeks for the confidence they have expressed in me.

“The aim now, if I secure a party nomination, is to deliver Dail representation for Fine Gael in this constituency once more. This will require dedication and hard work, something I have demonstrated throughout my time on Roscommon County Council”.

The Fine Gael convention for the Roscommon-Galway constituency will be held in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Town, on Friday, 20th of September at 7.30 pm.