Published: Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 5:30pm

Labour selects general election candidate for Roscommon

Cllr John Kelly has been selected as the Labour Party candidate for Roscommon/South Leitrim following the holding of the party's selection convention in the Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen on Friday night last.

Cllr Kelly was the sole nomination and he was duly proposed by Willie Tiernan, Boyle and John Feely, Carrick-on-Shannon.

While only formally selected as the party's candidate for the constituency last week, Cllr Kelly has been making inroads in South Roscommon in recent times, attending meetings and attempting to drum up support for the party in the region, and in particular in the Monksland/Bealnamulla area, which is now the fastest growing town in South Roscommon.

The selection convention was chaired by the party's spokesperson for Justice, Deputy Pat Rabbitte.

In proposing Cllr Kelly, Mr Tiernan said that Mr Kelly was a man who would get votes in Roscommon and South Leitrim for the Labour Party. He said that party members in Boyle will be out in force to assist and help in Cllr Kelly's campaign.

"We will be knocking on every door to ensure Cllr Kelly is elected," he said. "It's vital that Labour is involved in a major way in the next Government, otherwise there will be nothing left in the country for anyone."

"Cllr Kelly will run a terrific campaign and I've no doubt that he will top the poll," said Mr Tiernan.

In seconding Cllr Kelly, Mr Feely said he was honoured to do so. He spoke of how he became involved in politics due to the influence of Noel Browne and Jack McQuillan.

"They both inspired me to become involved in politics and having listened to them both, I knew it was the party I wanted to become involved with," he said.

"I'm delighted to support Cllr Kelly nomination and do my bit in returning a Labour TD to Dáil Éireann after the next general election," he said.

Deputy Rabbitte, after completing the formalities where Cllr Kelly signed the party pledge, said he was delighted and honoured to be in Ballaghaderreen for the selection convention, reminding those present how he originally hailed from the area.

He said he had a particularly empathy and affinity with this part of the country and he recalled how he was delighted and thrilled on learning that Cllr Kelly was joining the party.

Deputy Rabbitte acknowledged that while Roscommon/South Leitrim was not a traditional Labour Party stronghold in recent years, he was very confident that Labour would take a seat here at the next general election because of the calibre of candidate in Cllr Kelly.

He added that in John Kelly, the Labour Party had a candidate who is respected by the people.

"But there is no easy way for the Labour Party to win a seat, there never has been. It's painful work but we've never had the wind at our back so much and people are clearly looking for change," he said.