Ming flanagan in mayo candidacy link

INDEPENDENT MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan’s name is being strongly linked with a move to stand as a high-profile candidate in the forthcoming general election in Mayo.

The Castlerea-based representative declined to dismiss the growing speculation when contacted by The Connaught Telegraph.

High-ranking sources within the new Independent Alliance, headed by Deputy Shane Ross, revealed they did not make an approach to him despite difficulties in lining up a Mayo candidate in the four-seat constituency.

Mr. Flanagan’s entry into the field in An Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s county would represent a shock yet intriguing development.

But his popularity and appeal cannot be underestimated in view of the 124,065 first preferences he received in the 2012 European Parliament elections.

He served as a TD in Roscommon South Leitrim from 2011 to 2014 before Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice won the seat he vacated in a by-election following his move to Brussels.

* See this week’s issue of The Connaught Telegraph for more on the story.