Two names in hat for FG Council seat

THE Tragumna branch of Fine Gael is proposing agricultural advisor Owen O’Driscoll for the upcoming vacancy being left on Cork County Council by outgoing Cllr Noel O’Donovan.

The news came at the recent meeting of Skibbereen District Fine Gael, at the West Cork Hotel.

Cllr Noel O’Donovan is leaving politics for a career in An Garda Siochana and is due to resign officially on January 27th.

Meanwhile, Courtmacsherry-based former councillor John O’Sullivan has also confirmed that he will be putting his name forward to contest the election. Mr O’Sullivan narrowly missed out on retaining his seat in local election of 2014.

At the Skibbereen meeting, district secretary Rose Hallihan announced that she had received confirmation from the Tragumna FG branch that they would be formally proposing their member Owen O’Driscoll to fill the seat.

Mr O’Driscoll then addressed the meeting and outlined his desire to get involved in local politics. Referring to his years of dealing with the public service and his record in problem solving in his professional role as an agriculture advisor, he said he was up for the challenge.

Chairman of the district Paddy O’Brien welcomed O’Driscoll’s candidature, saying: ‘It’s great to see new young blood putting themselves forward for public representation.’ Fine Gael TD Jim Daly, who was also in attendance at the meeting, welcomed the new entry to the race. However, he noted that Cllr O’Donovan had not yet officially resigned. He said until such time as he does, and the national executive of the party approve a co-option date, no formal nominations could be made.

‘Every branch will be written to and invited to propose a candidate to fill the seat at the appropriate time. I welcome Owen’s confirmation that he is to stand and I do hope that more candidates will come forward, resulting in a good healthy contest for the party, which will most likely take place in late February,’ Deputy Daly said.