Candidates line up for local authority elections in South Roscommon

With Fine Gael"s selection convention for next year"s local authority elections in South Roscommon set to take place in Ballyforan on November 9, the local candidate line-up across the parties is beginning to take shape. Four individuals have declared an interest in running for Fine Gael in the area, while five have notified Fianna Fáil headquarters of their hopes to have their names on the party"s ticket there next year. Changes to electoral boundaries mean that six county council seats will be on offer in South Roscommon next year - an increase of one on the number available in the area at the last local elections. The increase in South Roscommon comes at the expense of the Boyle electoral area which loses a seat. In addition to sitting county councillors John Naughten and Ollie Moore, Ballyforan"s Dermot Kelly and Philip O"Brien from Kiltoom have expressed an interest in running for Fine Gael. The closing date for potential Fianna Fáil nominees to declare their interest in standing was September 5 last. Five names confirmed an interest in representing the party in South Roscommon. Sitting councillors Anthony Geraghty and Trevor Finneran intend to seek re-election. They will be joined by Cllr Paddy Kilduff, who currently represents the Roscommon electoral area but will seek to be re-elected within the South Roscommon district. John Keogh, a Taughmaconnell native who lives in Monksland and works as a solicitor in Athlone, comes from a strong Fianna Fáil background and he has expressed an interest in standing for the party in South Roscommon next year. Also hoping to be elected is Jimmy Kenny from Moore who is chairman of the Fianna Fáil Comhairle Cheanntair in South Roscommon. It"s expected that Fianna Fáil"s ticket will be finalised at a selection convention in the area but no date for the convention has been set at this stage. Independent councillor Tony Ward from Curraghboy will seek re-election, and it"s believed that Eugene Costello from Taughmaconnell may also stand as an Independent candidate. Sinn Féin also intends to contest the area next year. Party organiser for Roscommon, Sean O"Murchadha, told the Westmeath Independent that Sinn Féin has not yet chosen its candidate in the south of the county, but he hopes one will have been selected by early December.