No surprises at Fianna Fáil selection event as deputy Murnane O’Connor gets the nod

“A VOTE for Jennifer is a vote for Carlow.” That’s the view of the chair of Carlow Fianna Fáil, speaking at Thursday evening’s general election selection convention in the Lord Bagenal Hotel, Leighlinbridge.

Members cast their votes before a welcome address by the party’s Co Carlow chairman Hugh Conaghan, who said Fianna Fáil is “ready to go out and fight”.

The gathering was the first since the local elections and the chairman took the opportunity to pay tribute to former cllr Arthur McDonald for “the lifetime of service that he has given to the people of Carlow”. He also acknowledged the work of former cllr John McDonald and extended congratulations to newly-elected cllr Daniel Pender.

About 130 of Carlow’s 220 party members were in attendance, including former TD MJ Nolan and entertainer Richie Kavanagh, a lifelong party supporter. It was a resounding “yes” for deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, with chair for the evening senator Fiona O’Loughlin describing her as a “terrific colleague”. She also acknowledged and thanked local councillors for their work and commitment to the party and offered her thoughts to Arthur McDonald and John McDonald, saying she was “genuinely sorry” that “both fine men didn’t have the opportunity to carry on their work”.

Senator O’Loughlin outlined that three candidates were nominated – Keith McDonald, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor and Fintan Phelan.

Cllr Phelan withdrew his nomination. He thanked members for nominating him, saying he was “thrilled” to have topped the poll in Carlow and that it was a “huge honour” to be elected mayor for a third term. He went on to say that Fianna Fáil received 42.2% of the vote in Carlow in the local elections and local councillors had “driven change” in the county. He said Carlow is very fortunate to have a TD in Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, who works “night and day for the people of Carlow”.

Speaking on his decision to accept the party nomination, Keith McDonald, son of former Bagenalstown councillor Arthur, said “it wasn’t my night”. He paid tribute to his father’s 39 years in local politics, expressing his “bitter disappointment”. He added that “when one door closes, another one opens, and I threw my hat in the ring tonight. I want to get that seat back for Bagenalstown”.

The 34-year-old said he had been a party member all his life and offered his congratulations to deputy Murnane O’Connor, telling her “we’ll all row in behind you”.

Taking to the floor, a jubilant Jennifer first thanked Keith and Fintan, before also mentioning Arthur and John McDonald and paying tribute to newly-elected MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, as a “voice for the south”.

Jennifer told those gathered that she had been “honoured to have been elected to represent the people of Carlow over the last four-and-a-half years. With your support, I can repeat my success and go on to deliver on the initiatives I have worked on to date”.

She referenced her role as Oireachtas ambassador for women, a new women’s refuge for Carlow, her work with the Holy Angels and Kelvin Grove, SETU and Carlow College. Jennifer said politics had been her “life’s work” and pledged to “continue to work hard and deliver. I know the needs of my constituents”.

She thanked her team of “great staff, working for the good of Carlow” and acknowledged the help, support and sacrifices made by the families of public representatives.