Cllr Thomas Walsh added to Fine Gael election ticket in Sligo-Leitrim, South Donegal & North Roscommon

Fine Gael councillor Thomas Walsh has been added to the party’s General Election ticket in Sligo-Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon.

Cllr Walsh, from Ballygawley, Co Sligo was added to contest the constituency during a meeting of Fine Gael’s Executive Council tonight (Tuesday). It is the first time he will contest a General Election and at the age of 34, Cllr Walsh will be the youngest candidate in the constituency.

This is the second Fine Gael candidate – with Senator Frank Feighan already running – to be selected.

Cllr Walsh, who was elected to Sligo County Council in the Sligo-Drumcliff electoral area in May’s local elections, said he is determined to get the best possible result for Fine Gael in the next General Election.

“I am honoured and privileged to have been selected by the Fine Gael party and to stand with other people, including Senator Feighan, who have stepped forward to run in this crucial coming election. I accept the nomination with a deep sense of gratitude to those that have confidence in me to be one of the Fine Gael candidates in the Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and North Roscommon constituency.

“I pledge that I will put every possible effort into getting Fine Gael back into Government. My election party campaign will be marked out by its enthusiasm, by its policies and by plain old-fashioned hard work and by a successful election outcome.

“My track record of project and political success to date is grounded in my energy, sense of initiative, enthusiasm and commitment to serving the needs and interests of the public. I believe in a positive political style of campaigning and politics. I plan to be part of the solutions team.

“As a new Fine Gael candidate for the next general election, I am focused on the need to bring a new energy to democracy and to politics. Having experience of being a practical representative at local level, I am familiar with the nature of public representation work and what it involves – meeting people, listening to their concerns and working to help local development which is a rewarding and challenging experience,” Cllr Walsh said.