Murphy to run as an independent in Roscommon

Senator Eugene Murphy is to run an an independent in the Roscommon-Galway constituency in the upcoming general election.

He made the announcement today (Monday), saying he is “at peace” with his decision, which followed several weeks of speculation over his next steps after Fianna Fáil decided they would not add another candidate to their ticket for the constituency.

Senator Murphy lost out to GP Martin Daly, who is based in Ballygar on the Galway side of the border, by just eight votes at the Fianna Fáil selection convention for the Roscommon-Galway constituency on October 3.

Fianna Fáil had directed that only one candidate be chosen for the constituency at the convention.

Senator Murphy said while Dr Daly had won the convention fair and square, many Fianna Fáil members were unhappy about having only one candidate on the ticket. He said that he considers his decision to run as an independent in the upcoming election “the right thing to do for the county”, particularly as “82% of the voters come from Roscommon, and 18% from Galway.”

“I will respect the decision of the electorate, however they decide in the general election.”

He said he will be focusing mainly on Roscommon for his campaign, as well as the Ballinasloe and Creagh areas.

Senator Murphy noted that “time will be very limited” before the election, with probably “only about 20 days” between the announcement of the election and the election itself.

He said as the campaign will take place during short days, with no evenings available due to the dark nights, he expects to rely a lot on social media, as well as help from volunteers in local areas canvassing for him “to get the message across”.

He said he will also be appealing to people in South Roscommon, where he has been involved in several projects, to volunteer as canvassers for him.