Shake-up of Mayo constituency could spell bad news for 'east' electorate

SPECULATION is growing in political circles that south Mayo will return to the four-seat Mayo constituency ahead of the next general election.

But, as part of a review conducted by the Constituency Commission, a section of east Mayo, including the towns of Ballyhaunis and Charlestown, could be transferred into Roscommon for electoral purposes.

The commission is due to issue its report in the coming weeks.

If the speculation is accurate, then the electorate of Ballinrobe and surrounding areas will be delighted as they campaigned strongly for a return to their native constituency from Galway West.

By the same token, however, up to 4,000 voters across east Mayo will not be happy in the event of the move materialising.

However, they will hold out hope of Ballaghaderreen being switched into Mayo and the constituency being restored to a five-seater, a move that many political observers have described as unlikely.