Fitzpatrick throws hat into general election race

Fianna Fail Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick has indicated he is interested in putting his name forward as a candidate to represent Fianna Fail in the new three-seat Offaly constituency at the next General Election.

Cllr Fitzpatrick secured 1998 first preference votes in the local elections held last June.

Cllr Fitzpatrick was strongly endorsed by the Edenderry Fianna Fail Cumann at a recent meeting with members supporting him as a candidate to go forward to selection convention when that date is announced by the party.

Cllr Fitzpatrick contested the 2016 general election alongside Barry Cowen when the constituency was previously a three seater securing 8,720 votes but lost out narrowly by 170 votes in taking a second seat for the party on that occasion.

Fianna Fail will now be looking at prospective candidates to fill the seat vacated by Barry Cowen since he was elected to the European Parliament in the recent European Elections.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said he would be seeking the support of the Fianna Fail party members in Offaly when the selection convention is announced.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said if elected he would endorse former Edenderry Cllr Robert McDermott as his replacement on Offaly County Council who lost out by a very small margin in the recent local elections and with his vast experience on local government this would strengthen the Fianna Fail representation across North/East Offaly, concluded Cllr Fitzpatrick.

South Offaly Councillor Peter Ormond has also previously expressed his interest in contesting the convention.