Fitzpatrick to run as independent in upcoming election

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming General Election.

This comes after the announcement that Fianna Fail Headquarters decided to add another candidate in North Offaly, completely overlooking the name of Cllr Fitzpatrick who secured 1,998 first preference votes in the local elections last June. This was the highest vote across the county.

The recent selection convention was held in Tullamore, where the voting members selected Cllr Tony McCormack as their candidate to represent the Party in the next general election over Cllrs Peter Ormond and Eddie Fitzpatrick who also stood before convention.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said he was quite happy to accept this result on the night and wished Cllr McCormack well.

He noted that the candidate that Fianna Fail Headquarters has now added to their ticket for the general election withdrew from this convention two days prior to the event.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said, “In light of this, I find it totally unacceptable that Fianna Fail HQ would decide to add a candidate that would not stand before the convention and its democratic voting process. Therefore, I have decided to run as an Independent Candidate.”

Cllr Fitzpatrick has served as an elected member of  Offaly County Council for over 20 years. He believes his knowledge and experience at local government level gives him the ability to serve the people of North Offaly and indeed the Constituency of County Offaly at national level in Dáil Éireann.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said, “I am now asking for you, all the constituents of County Offaly, to support my candidacy in this election as a strong independent candidate who will deliver strong representation in Dáil Éireann for you”.