Fianna Fáil last night selected its four candidates to contest the upcoming local elections in the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District (MD).
Councillor Liam Blaney was selected to defend his seat in the Milford area with Cllr Ciarán Brogan, Cllr Donál Coyle and Cllr Donál ‘Mandy’ Kelly chosen to secure their seats in the Letterkenny area. All four were unopposed.
“We have the best team in Lifford,” were the bold words of Cllr Ciarán Brogan to a packed Silver Tassie Hotel. It was a night of emotion and drama with plenty of good humour, but the focus was very firmly on the challenges which lie ahead and the determination of the councillors to deliver for the people of this area.
Former Tanáiste, Mary Coughlan, opened the Convention by welcoming everyone present and observing a minutes silence for the recently deceased Cllr Noreen McGarvey. Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, then took charge of proceedings.
Cllr Blaney highlighted the huge amount of money coming into the county at the minute, particularly for roads and he thanked Minister McConalogue for his tireless work in ensuring much needed local community projects are seen to. He also expressed delight at improvement works taking place at Rathmullan and Portsalon piers which is something he has fought for for 20 years.
Cllr Brogan highlighted how much improved the current mica scheme is and how this information needs to be put out there among the wider public. He said 120 million euro has been allocated to the scheme, with 20 million already paid out to homeowners and almost 400 houses currently going through the process.
Cllr Coyle reiterated his commitment to ensuring the Ten T project gets over the line and also pledged to prioritise rural transport and work towards the provision of a decent town bus service which may go some way to alleviating traffic congestion in the town. He echoed the sentiments of all present by calling for the name of Senator Niall Blaney to be added to the European ticket.
In an emotional address, Cllr Donál Mandy Kelly recalled his late brother, Manus, and thanked his family for steadfastly supporting him on his journey. He highlighted a deterioration in GP services, the need for a town bus service and the proposed extension to St Eunans College among his main priorities.
The Convention was also addressed by former TD and MEP, Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, Cllr Anthony Molloy and Inishowen Cllr Paul Canning.
