Local Elections 2009 Kerry

[QuietKerryman]

Now that the dust has settled on the Dail election, thoughts will turn to the local elections due in 2009.

In Kerry, FF have an arrangement with the Healy-RAes and Sinn Fein. They will be trying to wrestle back overall control of the council.

In Tralee, Norma Foley, (if she doesn't go for the Seanad), Ann McEllistrim and Ted Fitzgerald will be on the FF ticket. All will be fairly assured of re-election. FF will run a candidate from the Castleisland/Knocknagoshel area. Michael Walsh ran here a few years ago and did quite well, last time out, it was Charlie Farrelly who carried the party's colours here. Fine Gael surprised themselves and won two seats last time out. Bobby O'Connell looks fairly secure, while Pat McCarthy, a lecturer in Tralee IT, could join him in the Council Chamber. FG will be tempted to run a strong Tralee based candidate to join them on the ticket. Jim Finucane would be an ideal choice. He has been politically inactive for a number of years now, but he was an excellent FG Councillor on Tralee Urban council.

Terry O'Brien and Toireasa ni Fearaoisa will run for Labour and Sinn Fein respectively, and Anthony Dineen, who did well in the General Election, could be tempted to contest the Tralee area. Based on his 600-odd first preferences in the General Election, he will challenge for a seat.

Labour made a big mistake by not having a strong running mate for Terry O'Brien the last time. They did the same in 1999 when Maeve Spring had two quotas.

In Dingle, Michael O'Shea and Brendan MacGearailt look set to carry the FF colours. Cosai MacGearailt will carry the FG flag, while Eoin O'Shea could mount a challenge for Labour. It remains to be seen if SF and the Greens run candidates here, but Brigid O'Connor of Camp could be a strong independent candidate.

In Listowel, Ned O'Sullivan and John Brasill are almost certain to be on the FF ticket. They could be joined by Listowel Town Councillor Tom Walsh, and Dan Kiely among others. Liam Purtill and Tim Buckley will carry the FG flag again, while Pat Leahy and Robert Beasley will be the Labour and SF standard bearers respectively.

In Killorglin, Michael Cahill and Paul O'Donoghue will be on the FF ticket. Mark Daly could join them, if he fails to make it to the Seanad. 'Porridge O'Connor and Michael Connor Scarteen will be in the field for FG, it will be interesting to see if one of Tom Sheahan's brothers runs here as this is their home base.

Lynn Ni Bheolainn who stood for SF in the recent general election, will probably contest this area for the party, while Labour and the Greens intentions are unknown at this stage.

Over in Killarney, Colin Miller and Tom Fleming are almost certain to be on the FF ticket. Brian O'Leary, son of former FF TD John O'Leary could join them in Killarney town. FG will run one of the Sheahan family, while it remains to be seen if Breda Moynihan has the stomach for another fight for Labour. Sinn Fein are weak here, as are the Greens, and their list of potential candidates won't be known until closer to the date.

[Meursault]

FF have no chance of getting a majority on the council without merging with the Healy Rae organisation, (which I wouldn't rule out in the medium term). They did well here against the national trend here last time and I cant see where apart from Listowel they have a chance of a gain, while Briget O'Connor was a whisker away last time and may take one of there seats in Dingle.

I'd be suprised if Connor Scarteen will go again in Killorglin, he must be as old as the fog at this stage. Is his son still interested in succeding him? I'd imagine that there third candidate would be Donovan if he wanted to go again.

[QuietKerryman]

I don't know. It was rumoured that Conor Scarteen's son was interested at the last election, but Conor-Scarteen the elder decided at the last minute to go forward. Maybe, the time has come for Conor-Scarteen junior to succeed his father. If this were to happen, Conor-Scarteen the elder may step down twelve months before the election to give his son a chance.

Remember, Tom Sheahan the newly-elected FG TD for South Kerry has seven brothers. One of these has succeeded him on the council, while another may also run in the Killorglin area, where the family hails from.

[Meursault]

You may be right QK, about one of the Sheehans going for it, (Would imagine it would be Mike or any others who live between Castlecove and Glenbeigh. I stand over my statement that PJ Donovan will get this geographic nomination if he wants, he was a decent cllr when he was in there and there is huge sympathy for him in the environs of Cahersiveen.

[kerrynorth]

Tom Sheehan brother, John, is taking the council co-option next week and he is located in Kenmare - in the Killorglin LEA.

[Meursault]

Yes but he will be serving for the Killarney Electoral Area. If he does decides to run in Killorglin is that's the end of the Scarteen's so?

[sodabrab]

How do you see things going in Listowel?

I think Liam Purtill will do very well. Well respected and doing a huge amount of work in and around his local community. I assume Tim Buckley will regain his seat he's been there for a while.

Would expect FF to fight to get third seat, that leaves Pat Leahy and Robert Beasley could be interesting for the last seat.

Ned or Dan Brassil to top poll.

Any views on likely make-up??

[Meursault]

There is no garruntee that FF will get their third seat back there, theres a chance they could but its not certain :disclaimer I live 50 miles away from this particular E.A.

[sodabrab]

Take your point Meursault - No guarantee of third seat but will be an interesting battle.

I know local politics are different to National but their ability to take a 3rd seat may depend on their performance between now and 2009.

[independentobserver]

In Dingle, Michael O'Shea and Brendan MacGearailt look set to carry the FF colours. Cosai MacGearailt will carry the FG flag, while Eoin O'Shea could mount a challenge for Labour. It remains to be seen if SF and the Greens run candidates here, but Brigid O'Connor of Camp could be a strong independent candidate.

I would presume Brendan Griffin will be contesting for FG also, as last time out he got 1000 first preferences. There was supposedly an arrangement that if cosai won a seat in the general election, he would be co-opted in his place.

I presume John Hickey from Lispole will run for the greens, considering he ran in the general.

I think Brigid could pull it off this time. She was 63 votes short last time. A strong green performance could possibly damage her, but the green candidate would more than likely be eliminated early on. All she can hope for is that the votes transfer back to her.