Is Tommy Byrne set for great comeback after narrow loss?
FF SPECULATION MOUNTS ON WHO WILL CONTEST SEAT
WITH a seat now vacant in Louth County Council following the election of James Carroll to Seanad Eireann, there is much speculation as to who will take his seat.
Fianna Fail Cllr Frank Maher would not be drawn on naming possible successors.
However, he diplomatically said he 'would be behind anyone the party put forward to the position'.
'It is fantastic news for James, who has really made an impact on the party since his election six months ago, and I really wish him all the best in his new role as Senator,' said the former mayor.
'Naturally, there is interest into who will take the seat on the county council, and far be it from me to name anyone, as there are some very worthy candidates available, and it will be a matter for the party to decide.'
The names that have been mentioned most in connection with the vacancy are close runnerup Tommy Byrne, ousted Jacqui McConville and Joe Lynch, who all contested for seats in the last local elections.
In similar fashion, all were remaining modest and reticent when contacted by the Drogheda Independent, and said they would be more than willing should the party call.
'Should the offer come my way, I would be more than happy to step up,' said Clogherhead woman Jacqui McConville, who lost out to Senator Carroll in June.
'There is a large portion of people who need to be represented in Drogheda East. Tommy Byrne narrowly missed out in the last elections.
'However, my worry would be the large rural population could be left without representation.
'Of course, I will accept whatever decision the party make.'
The feelings were mutual with Tommy Byrne, who came a close second to Monasterboice man Carroll, losing out by a tiny margin of just 18 votes.
'That was very exciting and we went to the recount and were thrilled with the performance,' says the popular auctioneer.
'I was a late nomination in the largest consistency in the county, and I wish James all the best. But as far as who will take his seat, well, that is a matter for the party.
'If I was lucky enough to be chosen, I would be honoured, but that's up to the party to choose.'
Joe Lynch, who contested the Drogheda West seat, losing out early with Paul Bell's landslide victory, said 'of course I would be interested.'
'It has been talked about amongst the people in our own Cumann, and of course I would be interested, but I have a new position at work, and at the moment I am concentrating on that,' he said.
'If I could fill the seat for Drogheda that would be great, but Jacqui is a great politician, and Tommy only lost out by a few votes, so it isn't a foregone conclusion who gets it.
'However, I put myself forward for the seat because I thought I was suitable and nothing has changed there.'
- Alison COMYN
