Declan Geraghty to contest election in Galway East
After months of speculation as to his intentions, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice has announced that he will seek re-election in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.
Meanwhile, his Independent Ireland colleague Cllr Declan Geraghty, a well-known local businessman and public representative, has confirmed that he will contest the General Election as a candidate in Galway East constituency.
Speaking to the Roscommon People, Deputy Fitzmaurice, who first secured a Dáil seat in the 2014 Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election, emphasised his loyalty to Roscommon and Galway communities and his resolve to deliver for Rural Ireland.
In making the choice to remain in Roscommon-Galway, Deputy Fitzmaurice says he is “not running from a challenge” and has in fact made the hard choice.
“I’m not running from a challenge. I’m standing by the people who stood by me over the past ten years,” he said. “From Roscommon to Galway, and South Leitrim before that, the support I’ve received has been nothing short of humbling. I have worked hard to deliver for these communities and will continue to do so, whatever the result”.
Geraghty for Galway East
Councillor Declan Geraghty, meanwhile, will run for Independent Ireland in Galway East. A Williamstown native with deep business roots across County Galway, Cllr Geraghty says he knows what the people of Galway East need in order to thrive.
Cllr Geraghty said that he is committed to tackling key issues such as rural crime and dwindling Garda numbers, agriculture, housing, and economic development, and is energised by the opportunity to bring fresh, independent representation to Galway East.
“I know the constituency and I know the issues people face every day,” Geraghty said. “I’m honoured to step forward for Galway East and to work for sustainable growth, for our rural communities, and for the values we share across the West”.
Meanwhile, Fitzmaurice laid his cards on the table on the issue of Government negotiation talks. While many critics say Fitzmaurice is not seriously interested in going into Government, the straight-talking TD made his position clear, saying he isn’t going to sell his soul for a top job, but if the formula for Government is right, he intends on being at the cabinet table.
“While I know the prevailing notion among many of my critics is that I’ve been to the Government negotiation talks on two occasions and failed to make it into Government, the fact of the matter is that Independent Ireland is a party with policies on every pillar issue from agriculture to housing and crime to rural development.
“As a sitting TD for the party and spokesperson on Agriculture, if I am lucky enough to be re-elected by the people of Roscommon-Galway, I have every intention of going into Government – provided our policies are adopted by coalition partners”. For more, see Thursday’s Roscommon People.
