Former RTÉ reporter Mullooly running for European Parliament

A former RTÉ reporter is set to run in the European elections in the Midlands North-West constituency under the Independent Ireland banner.

Retired Midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly will stake his claim for a seat in Brussels.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, a member of the Independent Ireland grouping, was rumoured to run in the constituency but it is believed he prefers to stick to Leinster House alongside his other party colleagues, Michael Collins and Richard O’Donoghue.

Mullooly worked for RTÉ for 27 years before leaving his post in 2021, and he has been highly critical of the national broadcaster ever since his departure and amidst the RTÉ payments controversy.

Currently, Mullooly works as a tourism activator with Longford County Council.

Sitting MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan hit out on social media, stating: “I see that I’m now running against two RTÉ stars. Pay the licence fee to nurture the careers of future politicians.”

Independent Ireland, a new party without a whip, has been slowly adding more candidates to their grouping across the country in recent months as we approach the June elections.

So far only one candidate has been named in Mayo - farmer Mark Devane will contest in Claremorris for a seat on Mayo County Council.

Devane is a dairy farmer who lived abroad for many years, before returining home to Mayo.

The Ballindine native stated that he is ‘deeply concerned about the direction in which the current government is taking our country’ and ‘that it is crucial to speak up for those who may feel silenced or marginalised’.

“My motivation for running for Independent Ireland stems from my commitment to my family and my desire to ensure that future generations are raised with the same morals and values that I hold dear,” said Devane.