SENATOR BRIAN Ó Dómhnaill cited the concerns of the farming and fishing industries as among “the real issues that matter to the people” of Donegal South West.
The 33-year-old former teacher and former councillor from Gortahork was selected unopposed last night as Fianna Fáil’s candidate for the byelection in the constituency.
“Now is the time for Fianna Fáil to be brave, to show heart, courage and commitment. Let’s unite the party. Let’s win this seat,” said Mr Ó Dómhnaill.
“We in Fianna Fáil will never forget the small man, because we are a grassroots party. We are a bottom-up party.”
Mr Ó Dómhnaill’s brother, Séamus, who was elected as an Independent councillor on Donegal County Council in 2009 following a dispute with Fianna Fáil announced he was rejoining the party last week. Mr Ó Dómhnaill holds a B.Sc from the University of Ulster, and was nominated to the Seanad in 2007 by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
Minister for Social Protection Eamon Ó Cuív told a packed room in the Highlands Hotel he believed some people wanted to “rid” Ireland of the Catholic Church, the GAA and Fianna Fáil. “Well I won’t speak for the first two, but they’re not getting rid of Fianna Fáil.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan, who is a TD for Donegal South West, claimed Fianna Fáil was “the only party that understands rural Ireland”. She said Mr Ó Domhnaill would “restore Fianna Fáil’s representation for this constituency in the Dáil”.
Pat “The Cope” Gallagher, whose election to the European Parliament in June of last year created the vacancy in the constituency, said if the Opposition “spoke from their heart” they did not want to be in government now.
Other political parties had already selected their candidates.
Sinn Féin candidate Senator Pearse Doherty took a successful High Court challenge against the 16-month delay in holding the byelection.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny launched the campaign of his party’s previously-selected candidate, RTÉ sports producer Barry O’Neill, in Ballyshannon on Saturday.
The Labour Party will be represented by Cllr Frank McBrearty jnr, a publican whose family were victims of Garda harassment.
An Independent councillor Thomas Pringle, based in Killybegs, has also declared his candidacy. Former county footballer Tom Conaghan from Donegal town may also stand as an Independent.
Meanwhile, Mr Kenny called on the people of Donegal South West not to focus on local issues in the upcoming byelection but to speak for the country. Launching Mr ONeill’s campaign, Mr Kenny said the byelection was an opportunity for the people of Donegal South West to speak for Ireland.
Mr Kenny said people were very angry because “their careers and the careers of their children have been thwarted by incompetence”.
He asked people to channel their anger and voice for Ireland through the candidacy of Mr ONeill.
The candidates
Brian Ó Dómhnaill (Fianna Fáil)
Barry O’Neill (Fine Gael)
Frank McBrearty jnr (Labour)
Pearse Doherty (Sinn Féin)
Thomas Pringle (Independent)