Fine Gael selects Councillor Mark Duffy to contest Mayo constituency in General Election

Councillor Mark Duffy has been selected by Fine Gael to represent Fine Gael in the Mayo constituency at the next General Election.

Fine Gael has now chosen 68 General Election candidates in 41 constituencies.

Cllr Duffy was added to the Mayo ticket alongside Minister Alan Dillon, Keira Keogh and Martina Jennings following a meeting of Fine Gael’s Executive Council last night (Thursday).

Cllr Mark Duffy said: “I am delighted to be contesting the upcoming General Election in Mayo on the Fine Gael ticket.

“Over the past week I have held extensive negotiations and discussions with Fine Gael members, the Fine Gael organisation locally as well as Taoiseach Simon Harris to get firm commitments on the delivery of long sought after projects for Mayo.

“I am a former Mayor of Ballina, and before entering politics, I worked as President of ATU Mayo Students’ Union in Castlebar. I was a member of the US Embassy’s Youth Council in 2017-2019 and was Ireland’s only representative on the 2023 German Marshall Fund’s Transatlantic Inclusion Leadership Network.

“In 2019, I relocated home from Dublin – where I was working to create an All-Island League between the League of Ireland and the Northern Irish Football League – to contest the local elections. I wanted to actively lead positive change in our communities, empowering citizens to take collective action, and transform our market towns so that everyone, young and old, has somewhere to live, with enhanced amenities, sporting facilities and safer neighbourhoods.

“Young people from Mayo have been forced to migrate and emigrate for better opportunities and quality of life. Improving the supply of housing and living standards will help us realise the potential of our great county.

“While I have proudly served as an independent councillor on two occasions, I believe that joining Fine Gael will enhance my ability, if elected, to deliver more effectively for the people of Mayo.

“In the past six years I have successfully campaigned for the addition of early and late rail services to and from Dublin; housing initiatives through the expansion of the Croí Conaithe housing grant and have empowered local action to improve the town through grass roots initiatives.

“I am excited by this new chapter and remain committed to serving the people of Mayo with dedication and integrity.”