Contenders emerge to fill Fine Gael Senator’s vacant council seat

A number of contenders are emerging to fill the council seat vacated by Fine Gael Senator Gareth Scahill.

Senator Scahill’s seat on Roscommon County Council became vacant last month when he was appointed to Seanad Éireann as one of the Taoiseach’s eleven nominees.

The Fine Gael selection convention to replace him on the local authority will take place in Tully’s Hotel, Castlerea on Thursday, April 14th at 7.30 p.m.. 

At the time of going to press on Monday, Athleague man Robbie McConn, a party candidate in last year’s local elections, and Castleplunkett native Ruth Connolly-Conboy had been officially nominated. 

Other contenders are former Senator Maura Hopkins and former long serving councillor Michael McGreal. The deadline to submit nominations is Sunday, March 30th.

Another possible candidate, Gerry Coffey, confirmed that he wouldn’t be contesting the convention to fill the party seat in the Roscommon Municipal District.

“I have given it a lot of thought and people had been asking me to let my name go forward. As a self-employed businessman, I don’t think I could give it the time required and I want to wish all the other candidates the very best and may the best candidate win," said the Granlahan native.

Mr Coffey, who is an auctioneer and farmer, was a Fine Gael local election candidate in 2019 and is the party’s district executive secretary.

He also wished to congratulate Senator Scahill on his appointment. 

"It’s a tremendous achievement for Gareth, his family, for the organisation and West Roscommon - he has big future," Mr Coffey said.