Dillon overcomes his first political challenge in Mayo

FORMER Mayo GAA star Alan Dillon has overcome his first challenge in his bid to be elected to Dáil Éireann.

He was successful in securing a nomination to run for the party in the next general election at the Mayo selection convention held at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar tonight.

Dillon was chosen along with Minister Michael Ring and Senator Michelle Mulherin and he is the party's Castlebar-based candidate. 

Although the votes registered by each of the four nominees were not released to the media by Tom Curran, the party's general secretary, it is understood Dillon finished third in the ballot ahead of Hollymount Councillor Patsy O'Brien, who lost out.

Sources revealed that Ballina-based Senator Mulherin topped the poll with two votes to spare over Minister Ring, both of whom were comfortably selected.

The unofficial result was as follows: Mulherin (256), Ring (254), Dillon (193) and O'Brien (140). Dillon got 33 of Mulherin's surplus, compared to 11 by O'Brien, to ensure his selection.

A total of 870 delegates cast their votes and the venue was packed to capacity as party supporters from throughout the county turned out in force in a clear show of the organisation's strength, having attracted 51% of the vote in the Mayo constituency in the 2016 general election.

However they had to wait until shortly after 12.30 a.m. before the names of the three selected candidates were announced by Minister of State Sean Kyne, who chaired the convention. 

Tom Garvey, director of elections, said the party's objective is to win three seats out of four in Mayo.