O’Rourke likely to run as Boxer and Mayor remain undecided

It is looking increasingly likely this week that local Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke will go forward to the selection convention for the party in a bid to contest the next general election, which is due to be held early next year. While the Longford/Westmeath deputy would not yet confirm her intentions, sources close to the party indicate that it is increasingly likely she will go forward to the party's selection convention, which is due to be held in January. Deputy O'Rourke told the Westmeath Independent this week: “I am still discussing it with my supporters.†She said she had the opportunity to discuss the matter with her family at the weekend and on Sunday she had a number of meetings with her support team. Her party colleague Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran remained tight lipped this week on whether or not he would go forward to convention, saying simply that he would be guided by party members. However, it appears that if Deputy O'Rourke goes forward to convention, she will do so uncontested. Meanwhile, Mayor of Athlone Cllr Sheila Buckley Byrne is still keeping her options open on whether she will run in the upcoming general election. Asked whether or not she had made a decision on contesting the election, the independent councillor said: “I am still in discussions with a number of people.†Labour has already selected Deputy Willie Penrose and Mae Sexton to contest the election, while on Sunday Fine Gael selected Athlone Senator Nicky McFadden and Longford Deputy James Bannon, although it is expected a third candidate, most likely Mullingar's Peter Burke, will be added at a later date. Sinn Féin has yet to hold its selection convention, but local Cllr Paul Hogan is among those being considered to contest the election for the party. Mary O'Rourke said she had been approached by several of the cumann and they will be putting her name forward for nomination.