THE Limerick North Fine Gael councillor and last year’s mayor, Cllr Kevin Kiely, will officially declare on Monday next that he will run as an Independent in the general election. Cllr Kiely, who had received the support of his eight FG colleagues on the city council, to run as a third candidate, had sought to be added to the FG ticket in Limerick, representing the working class sector.
He now claims he has been “scorned” by the party leadership, whom he had personally approached when his request that a third candidate be added to the Limerick East ticket was initially refused.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, he said:
“The party has strung me out – I directly approached headquarters but they have not had the courtesy to come back as to whether I am on or off the ticket.
“I was going to wait until next Monday to make an announcement but I can tell you now that I will be going as an Independent and will have the posters ready within a few days.
“I have a backer who is ready to help with the expenses incurred in postering etc”.
Kiely’s departure will reduce the majority monopoly that it had on Limerick City Council.
Mayor Maria Byrne, who said she will “hate to see Kevin leave Fine Gael, added:
“However, he has made his own decision”.
Fellow northside FG councillor, Michael Hourigan, said that Cllr Kiely had made representations to party headquarters and met with them some time ago.
“They were supposed to conduct an opinion poll but he hasn’t been given details – I believe he has everything in place to go”.
