Search Results for 'Peter Keane'

Once the Christmas and New Year festivities are over and Ireland settles down to the winter of discontent of the recession, local politicians will hit the campaign trail in earnest for June’s Local Elections.

Fine Gael appear to occupy a position in Galway city politics that Fianna Fáil and Labour must envy because the Blueshirts look set to emerge from the 2009 Local Elections without losing a seat.

“Almost...but not quite” is how Galway Fianna Fáil might sum up its team for June’s Local Elections in both the city and county, with many candidates virtually certain to be selected, others still battling for a place, and the rest in the dark as to what party HQ intends to do with them.

While Fianna Fáil has yet to find a running mate for Peter Keane in Galway City West, the main attention of Fianna Fáilers and Galway political anoraks is focused on who the party will choose in Galway City Central.

With the New Year now firmly entrenched, Galway’s politicos - Insider included - have only one thing on their minds - June’s Local Elections.

It may have been the worst kept secret in Galway politics, but this week Fianna Fáil officially confirmed what the city’s political watchers and what this column has been saying for months - Peter Keane will run for the party in Galway City West.

On paper it looks straightforward. A long serving councillor, former mayor, and well known businessman should easily retain his seat while the running mate is there to mop up any transfers for him should they be needed.

Catherine Connolly, Donal Lyons, Niall Ó Brolcháin, and John Mulholland look set to retain their seats in Galway City West but there will be a major battle between Fianna Fáil, Labour, and Independents for the fifth seat.

Although nominations have yet to close for June’s Local Elections, attentions are already being focused on the likely results and the potential mayoral pacts that may be created post June.

Could it be that the political resurrection of Val Hanley is almost complete? That in its hour of need Fianna Fáil are looking to him to help win back a seat in Galway City West?