Eighteen lined up to date for Longford/Westmeath election race

The runners may have been on their marks for some time ahead of last Friday's dissolution of the Dáil, but it was only with the announcement by Taoiseach Simon Harris of Friday, November 29, as the general election date, that the race was officially underway.

There have been some changes in the Longford/Westmeath constituency since the 2020 general election

Longford/Westmeath

The Longford/Westmeath constituency is now a five-seater, following the return of 19 electoral divisions from Meath East

Returning the ‘missing’ electoral divisions brought the overall constituency population to 142,972, which has entitled the area to an extra seat.

In 2020, the four TDs elected were Sinn Féin Sorca Clarke, Fianna Fáil's Robert Troy and Joe Flaherty and Fine Gael's Peter Burke.

All four are re-contesting this election. At time of going to press there are 18 candidates known to us in this constituency.

As well as Burke, Fine Gael are running Senator Micheál Carrigy and Tanya Cannon, Fianna Fáil also has a three-candidate strategy, with Troy and Flaherty joined by Dympna Cunniffe.

Sinn Féin has added Longford-based Barry Campion to the ticket alongside Deputy Sorca Clarke, whilst former TD and Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran is back in the general election race as an independent.

Independent Ireland is running Cllr Paul Hogan, while the Green Party has nominated Carol Okeke from Kinnegad to run. Ms Okeke served for a time as a member of Westmeath County Council in the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District having been co-opted to replace then-councillor Hazel Smyth when she took maternity leave. She also contested the recent local elections unsuccessfully.

Indeed, the proximity of the recent local elections has resulted in a series of unsuccessful candidates from that race, also seeking a Dáil seat.

These include Labour's Fidelma Bennett, People before Profit's Dave Smyth, Ireland First's Margaret “Alacoque” Maguire and Aontú's Laura O’Neill.

Former Athlone councillor Louise Heavin is also back on an election ticket, but this time as an independent, having failed to be re-elected to the council for the Green Party in the summer.

Former independent Longford councillor, Gerry Warnock, who did not contest the local elections, is seeking a Dáil seat, as is independent candidate, Donal Jackson, from Athlone.

Candidates (to date)

Fidelma Bennett (Lab), Peter Burke (FG), Barry Campion (SF), Tanya Cannon (FG), Micheál Carrigy (FG), Sorca Clarke (SF), Dympna Cunniffe (FF), Joe Flaherty (FF), Louise Heavin (Ind), Paul Hogan (Ind Irl), Donal Jackson (Ind), Margaret “Alacoque” Maguire (Irl First), Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran (Ind), Carol Okeke (GP), Labhra Ní Néill/Laura O’Neill (Aontú), Dave Smyth (PBP), Robert Troy (FF), Gerry Warnock (Ind).

NOTE - The latest time for receiving nominations is 12 noon on Saturday, November 16. Candidates may withdraw their nominations up to 12 noon on Monday, November 18.