Mayo FF councillor rules himself out of senate election

Mayo Fianna Fail Councillor Brendan Mulroy has announced that he will not be in the running for a seat in Seanad Eireann as his focus is on local matters on the ground in west Mayo over the next five years.

Re-elected in the June local elections to Mayo County Council, Mulroy had been weighing up his options over the past fortnight and despite very strong backing from party grassroots and encouragement from his extended network of supporters, he has chosen to centre his attention on local politics.

Commenting on his decision, Councillor Mulroy said: “I have decided not to contest the Seanad elections on the basis that I put myself forward for re-election to Mayo County Council in June and I wish to continue my work on the ground.

"The voters of west Mayo placed that faith and confidence in me only six months ago and I will not be abandoning my duties to them.

"There is so much work to do at council level. I want to keep highlighting the scourge of pyrite and especially the plight of the Parc na Coille residents.

"There is the delivery of the Newport sewerage system which has been a major priority for me for many years.

"I want to advocate for social and affordable housing in west Mayo. I need to champion and oversee a new school for Holy Trinity and a new school for the Sacred Heart in Westport.

"I also want to ensure that a new water supply is delivered to Louisburgh and that the convent site in Westport is developed for new civic offices and library.

"As a councillor, I can support local communities and local groups way more effectively on the ground than sitting in Seanad Eireann. I owe it to the electorate to finish what I promised. I am really busy representing them and I am happy serving them.”

First elected in 1999 after his first run for election for Westport Town Council, Mulroy went on to get re-elected in the subsequent two local elections in 2004 and 2009 by the people of Westport.

Having served on Westport Town Council for 15 years, he was then elected for the first time to Mayo County Council in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019 and again in June 2024.

“It is an honour to represent the West Mayo electoral area, and I want to thank the people of Westport and surrounding areas for their continued support and faith in me.

"I will repay them with my continued committed dedication to the town and wider hinterland,” he said.

Councillor Mulroy's announcement comes as there is growing speculation that his party is seeking candidates from the county to run in the election.

Outgoing Castlebar-based Senator Lisa Chambers has yet to clarify her position going forward.