Tolan to seek FG nomination in Meath East

Poll topping Laytown/Bettystown councillor, Sharon Tolan, has confirmed she will seek the Fine Gael nomination to contest the next General Election in Meath East.

The party will hold its selection convention to nominate candidates on Monday 2nd September and is expected to select Justice Minister, Helen McEntee and at last one other candidate to contest the election, in what will now be a four seater constituency. Prospective candidates won't know how many will be nominated in Meath East until the night of the convention.

There are currently three TDS representing the constituency, Minister McEntee, Fianna Fail's Minister Thomas Byrne and Sinn Fein's Darren O'Rourke.

Cllr Tolan who topped the poll in Laytown/Bettystown in the June local election said that over the past number of weeks she has been busy meeting party members and for the next two, she will continue to canvass the party membership asking for their support on 2nd September.

"In recent weeks, I have discussed the opportunity with my family, as well as a broad cohort of the party membership spanning the constituency.

"Topping the poll in the recent local election while conceding a chunk of my area and vote to support our third candidate, has shown I am not only a proven vote getter but also a team player.

"The results of the local election and stellar leadership shown by our new Taoiseach, Simon Harris, have undoubtedly brought a new energy to the party both locally and nationally."

She said it was important to acknowledge the wonderful results of her colleagues across the county and indeed, the country, and she thanked them for their continued support.

"FG Councillors are exceptionally hard working. I wholeheartedly believe the party must now build on the current momentum to ensure Fine Gael wins back its second seat in Meath East in the next general election.

"I have spent the past 10 years working hard on Meath County Council and have previously contested selection conventions for the party. During that time as an elected public representative, I have proven my ability to work diligently to deliver for local communities, and I believe I have the skillset and experience to represent the people of Meath East in Dáil Éireann," she said.