Election shock in Portarlington as Fianna Fail councillor opts to run for Dail as independent

The councillor from Cloneyhurke, Portarlington, Eddie Fitzpatrick has said he will run for the Dail in the Offaly constituency as an Independent because he was not selected by the Fianna Fail party.

Cllr Fitzpatrick accused the party of “completely overlooking” him when it added another councillor, Claire Murray, to the party general election ticket alongside Cllr Tony McCormack, Tullamore.

Speaking to the Leinster Express/Laois Live this morning, Cllr Fitzpatrick confirmed he had left Fianna Fail but said he still had to send his resignation papers to Fianna Fail headquarters. 

Speaking of the General Election, he said "it is my last chance at it." He intends to meet with supporters before the weekend in order to put his election campaign in order.  

Cllr Fitzpatrick, who was a member of the Progressive Democrats and an Independent before joining the Fianna Fail party and seeking a Dail seat in 2016, said last night (Monday) that he was not picked on this occasion despite receiving 1,998 votes in the Edenderry Electoral Area at the council election in June.

Cllr McCormack was the only candidate selected at a recent party convention in Tullamore. He defeated Cllr Fitzpatrick and Cllr Peter Ormond, Shinrone in a vote involving over 300 party members.

Cllr Murray, who was elected to Offaly County Council for the first time in the Edenderry Electoral Area this year, did not contest the convention even though she had been nominated to do so.

It was expected that party headquarters would add her so that Fianna Fail would have two candidates in the Offaly three-seat constituency and that decision was taken last week following interviews.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said party headquarters added Cllr Murray after she withdrew two days before the convention.

“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,” said Cllr Fitzpatrick.

Cllr Fitzpatrick, a farmer in Benfield, said he has served as an elected member of Offaly County Council for over 20 years and 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 Dail Eireann”.

“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 Dail Eireann for you,” he said.