FF councillor John Keogh rules out Ros bye-election bid

Fianna Fáil councillor John Keogh, who represents the Athlone Electoral Area on Roscommon County Council, has confirmed that he will not contest the upcoming Fianna Fáil bye-election convention for the Roscommon-South Leitrim Constituency.

The bye-election, to fill the Dáil seat made vacant by Luke 'Ming' Flanagan's election to the European Parliament, is due to take place later this year.

Speaking on the issue Cllr Keogh said “I am truly honoured and humbled to have been nominated by party members to contest the Fianna Fáil Bye-Election convention on July 23, and I wish to extend my sincere thanks to those members who nominated me.

'I have always been, and continue to be, completely committed to Fianna Fáil and for that reason, on this occasion, I must put the interests of Fianna Fáil ahead of my own political aspirations.

'I acknowledge that unfortunately, geographically, I am not well positioned in the existing constituency of Roscommon-South Leitrim for the Bye-Election. A Bye-Election is very different from a General Election as there is only one seat to be filled and if this was a General Election as opposed to a Bye-Election, I would be taking a very different view.

'Fianna Fáil’s ability to take the seat in the Bye-Election will be very much dictated by the geographical location of that candidate and having carefully considered same, I believe that the candidate must come from the Mid or Northern part of the Constituency.

'It is for that reason that I have decided not to allow my name be put before the delegates on July 23. I know that this will come as a disappointment to my family, friends and longstanding supporters. However, I must act in the best interests of the party on this occasion.'

Cllr Keogh pledged to give his full support to the chosen Fianna Fail candidate in the bye-election and indicated that he hopes to contest a Dáil election in the future.

'To my family, friends and supporters, I wish to stress that my political aspirations are merely parked on this occasion in the interests of the party.

'I will continue to give my all to representing the people of South and Mid Roscommon on Roscommon County Council as I have done for the last five years.

'If a General Election was to be called before a Bye-Election then, assuming no unforeseen circumstances, I would certainly allow my name to go forward to contest such convention as I would be positioned very well geographically for the party in the new Roscommon–Galway 3-seat constituency,' he concluded.