Fianna Fáil finalises its local election ticket in Offaly

Four new faces and six sitting councillors to contest seats for party

Four new candidates and six sitting councillors were formally chosen to contest next year's local elections for Fianna Fáil in Offaly at a well-attended selection convention in the Tullamore Court Hotel last Monday night.

New candidates Barbara Daly, Audrey Kennedy (Hennessy), Claire Murray, and Ollie Bryant will be joining sitting councillors Eddie Fitzpatrick, Robert McDermott, Declan Harvey, Tony McCormack, Frank Moran and Peter Ormond in running for council seats.

All of the candidates were ratified unanimously by Fianna Fáil members at the convention this week.

Cllr Eamon Dooley from Ferbane, who is the party’s Director of Elections in Offaly, will not be seeking re-election, nor will Cllr Danny Owens from Mountbolus.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Cllr Dooley said the convention had been a success and that each of the new candidates had spoken well, while council cathaoirleach Eddie Fitzpatrick addressed attendees on behalf of the sitting councillors.

"We had a huge crowd at it - we had to go and get extra seats because of all the people who turned up," said Cllr Dooley.

"It was great to have Senator Lisa Chambers chairing the convention, and to have three females among the four new candidates selected on the night."

Ollie Bryant works in Offaly County Council's Environment Section. The Mucklagh native has a long history of involvement with the GAA, which includes his current role as chairman of the Shamrocks club.

Audrey Kennedy (Hennessy) is a native of Birr, now living in the neighbouring parish of Clareen (Seir Kieran) with her husband, singer-songwriter Pete Kennedy, and their four children Aoibhe, Caitlin, Quin and Fionn.

Working with Avista Day Services in Birr, where she supports individuals with intellectual disabilities, Audrey is a passionate advocate for both adults and children in relation to disability issues. She has also played camogie competitively, and remains deeply involved with the sport.

Claire Murray is a lifelong Fianna Fáil supporter and Mum of two children. She is married to Alex Smale and they live in Clonmore, Offaly, not far from where she was raised. She works as the practice nurse in a busy, rural GP surgery and has a keen interest in all sports, health, and wellbeing.

Barbara Daly, from Ferbane, is the current vice-chairperson of Foróige and sister of Cllr Eamon Dooley. She chaired Foróige, the National Youth Development Organistion, for three years and has been actively involved in the Community and Voluntary Sector in Offaly for more than three decades.

There are 19 seats on offer in Offaly County Council at the local elections, which will be held on a date in May or June of next year.

Of the Fianna Fáil candidates, Barbara Daly, Audrey Kennedy (Hennessy) and Cllr Peter Ormond will be running in the six-seat Birr Electoral Area.

Claire Murray, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick and Cllr Robert McDermott will be running in the six-seat Edenderry Electoral Area, while Ollie Bryant, Cllr Declan Harvey, Cllr Tony McCormack and Cllr Frank Moran will be vying for election in the seven-seat Tullamore Electoral Area.

When asked how many seats Fianna Fáil was targeting in Offaly, the party's Director of Elections, Cllr Dooley, replied, "My hope is to see all ten of them elected!"