Donegal businessman Peter Casey in talks with rural Independent TDs

Inishowen-based businessman and former presidential candidate, Peter Casey has confirmed having talks with the leader of the Rural Independent Group with a view to forming a new political movement. 

The group is led by Mr Mattie McGrath and the members include Michael Collins, brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, Carol Nolan (formerly of Sinn Féin), and Richard O’Donoghue, a Limerick City Independent.

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Mr McGrath confirmed that he and members of the group held a meeting with Mr Casey to independent.ie. 

He told the Irish Independent: "In answer to your query, I did have a meeting this morning with Peter Casey, Deputy Michael Collins and others. This is actually the second meeting following a number of calls discussing our mutual desire to form a new movement or organisation to give a proper and more effective representation to the public at large."

The group discussed a broad range of topics including health, homelessness, the demise of the fishing industry, rural broadband as well as the lack of infrastructure outside Dublin.

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Mr Casey finished second to President Michael D Higgins in the last contest for Áras an Uachtarán with nearly a quarter of the vote.

Mr Casey ran for the Dáil in the 2020 election in his native Donegal but failed to get elected.