Election watch: Intriguing contest awaits in Roscommon Municipal District
a close up of ballot papers being counted during an election
Even before a single vote is cast, this election in the Roscommon Municipal District throws up a host of intriguing questions.
Can Fianna Fáil retain its three seats? Can Fine Gael bounce back from the political wilderness in this part of the county as two first time candidates eye up positions on the new council?
And who will benefit most from the 2,600 plus first preference votes garnered in 2019 by Fianna Fáil councillor Orla Leyden and Independent councillor Kathleen Shanagher, both of whom are bowing out?
What we do know with certainty is that two new faces from this Municipal District will be elected following the retirement of these two female councillors.
Eleven candidates are fighting it out for the six seats on offer. Fianna Fáil is running three candidates: two outgoing councillors - successive poll topper Paschal Fitzmaurice from Castlerea and 2019 newcomer Marty McDermott in Roscommon Town. They are joined on the ticket by well-known Roscommon Town businessman, Larry Brennan, who will be hoping to retain one of his party's three seats.
What further whets the political appetite is the emergence of two Fine Gael first time candidates, Castlerea businessman Gareth Scahill and retired Garda Robert McConn, based in the county town.
The two are very popular community activists and both could have a strong say in the final outcome as the party looks to end a long wait for a seat in this LEA.
Outgoing Independent councillors Tony Waldron and Nigel Dineen, who took the second and fourth seats respectively in 2019, will be hopeful of another strong showing this time around.
Lisacul based Christine McDonagh is Sinn Fein’s flag-bearer and the only female candidate in this particular race. The other candidates are Paul Hester (Green Party), Cathal Finnegan (The Irish People Party) and Justin Slamen (Irish Freedom Party).
Roscommon Municipal District comprises three main towns: Castlerea to the west, Roscommon Town in the centre and Ballyleague to the east. Business costs, farming issues, housing and immigration are some of the key issues of concern to voters who live here.
