Mayo independents forming 'vital' general election pact

A PACT is being negotiated between elected and non-elected independent representatives to ensure one of them is elected to represent Mayo in the forthcoming general election in the five-seat Mayo constituency.

The Connaught Telegraph has learned that a coordinated approach will be adopted to support candidates throughout the county in their bid to become the county's first independent TD since Dr. Jerry Cowley's dramatic success in 2002 with a 13.72% first preference rating.

Based on last June's local elections in the county, independents hold 25.8% of the vote compared to 29.5% for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on 26%, with Sinn Féin dropping to 9.4%.

Castlebar Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, the chair of the new independent alliance on Mayo County Council, said the prospect of an independent candidate winning a seat ‘is definitely a very real one on this occasion’.

"We have had preliminary discussions on the matter and we believe it can happen if the candidates are working together like a political party.

“That, in effect, means canvassing in a very focused manner for the non-party contenders in the field.

“We believe there is a seat to be won and a pact is vital to achieving it," he explained.

Roundfort-based Independent Councillor Patsy O'Brien is already in the field and he has the backing of the Kilcoyne grouping.

He is expected to be joined before the end of the month by Ballina Councillor Mark Duffy, who has categorically denied being approached by Fine Gael.

The pact will see support forthcoming for former Westport councillor Christy Hyland in the event of him bowing to pressure to run in the hope of filling the void created by the retirement of long-serving Deputy Michael Ring.

There's growing speculation that Independent Ireland will shortly announce the candidacy of newly-elected Louisburgh Councillor Chris Maxwell.

Councillor Kilcoyne confirmed that his nomination will also be backed by his group.

The prospect of another member of the independent alliance, Councillor Blackie Gavin, running appears to have diminished in the aftermath of his decision to attend last Friday's selection convention convened by Fianna Fáil.

The clear indication to emerge from the event is that he won't be opposing Senator Lisa Chambers in the county town.

However, Stephen Kerr, who performed well as an independent in the Castlebar electoral area in last June's local elections, has announced his general election candidacy and he is expected to poll strongly across central and west Mayo.