Fianna Fáil sticking with familiar faces for local elections
Fianna Fáil has selected its candidates to run in Kells and Laytown-Bettystown areas in next year's local election with selection conventions for both areas taking place on Tuesday of last week.
In Kells, the three sitting councillors - Sean Drew, Paul McCabe and Mike Bray- were selected along with Marty Lynch from Oldcastle. Marty Lynch is a son of former Dáil deputy, the late Michael Lynch of the well-known publican and traditional Irish music family.
Meanwhile, the party also held its selection convention for the Laytown-Bettystown area the same night. The convention took place in the Conyngham Arms Hotel, Slane, and was chaired by Deputy Niamh Smyth. The three sitting councillors Wayne Harding, Stephen McKee and Tom Behan were unanimously endorsed to run again with no challengers.
Fianna Fáil also recently held its convention for the Navan area when sitting councillors Tommy Reilly, currently cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, and Padraig Fitzsimons were selected.
In Trim, Cllr Aisling Dempsey will be joined by Sinead Geraghty of Ballinabrackey, who an unsuccessful runner for Fianna Fáil in the last local election in that area.
Fine Gael also has its candidates chosen for the Navan Municipal District with Cllr Yemi Adenuga joined on the ticket by Linda Murray and Ross Kelly.
Businesswoman Murray is a member of the Nelson family from Navan and is a parliamentary assistant to Deputy Damien English. She runs The Zone activity centre with husband Finbarr and has been very vocal on the high cost of insurance for businesses.
Kelly, who is a peace commissioner, unsuccessfully ran for Fine Gael in the 2019 elections but lasted until the 10th count. He has been vocal on issues including transport and youth affairs.
In Kells, the Fine Gael party has selected sitting councillors Eugene Cassidy and Sarah Reilly along with prominent farmer Seamus Magee. Magee, from Ballinlough, is a former chair of the Meath branch of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).