FINE Gael Councillor John Sheahan has announced that he will not contest the party’s selection convention for the constituency of Limerick County.
Cllr Sheahan, who is the Fine Gael leader on Limerick City and County Council, said that “considerable thought was put into entering the race this time as the ambition to represent Limerick at Oireachtas level still remains.
“The changes to the Limerick County constituency provided different circumstances and challenges. On this occasion, the retention of the two Fine Gael seats will be a formidable challenge but very much achievable.”
In 2011, the Newcastle West councillor contested both the General Election for the newly-formed North Kerry Limerick West constituency, where he polled more than 6,200 first preferences, and the Seanad election.
Councillor Sheahan said he supports “a strategy of capitalising on the hard work done by our representatives to date and building on it to retain the two seats”.
He continued: “While acknowledging the current administration got it wrong on some issues like the medical card debacle during last year’s local elections and the vacuums of communication at times on Irish Water, in the round this administration has done an excellent job on Ireland’s recovery.
“The current administration returned with stability is in the best interest of this country in the medium to long term.”
Councillor Sheahan has wished his fellow Fine Gael members well in their deliberations at the selection convention and has pledged support for whoever their choice will be.
