Gerry Crawford confirms election candidacy after retirement U-turn

Councillor Gerry Crawford has done a U-turn on his decision to retire from politics.

The Porthall-based Fianna Fáil Councillor announced in mid-April that he would not be contesting the local elections in June.

Having told party members of his decision at a selection convention in Ballybofey, Councillor Crawford has had a rethink.

He will now go forward to join party colleague Patrick McGowan on the ballot paper in the Stranorlar-Lifford area.

When I announced recently that I was stepping down, I suppose I wasn’t fully happy with that decision,” Councillor Crawford said.

“After talking to my family, supporters and the Fianna Fáil party, I have decided to seek election to Donegal County Council for what will be a sixth term.”

He was first elected in 1999 in the Letterkenny area having taken 1,264 first preference votes and retained his seat five years later, claiming 1,717 votes.

Following a re-jig of the areas, the retired ambulance driver has been a Councillor in the Stranorlar-Lifford area since.

He said: “I am proud of my record over the last quarter of a century, and I am keen to see the projects that I have been working hard on over the last number of years being delivered.”

Councillor Crawford said the new hospital and primary care centre for Lifford is among his main priorities and it is a project he said that is “looking extremely positive”.

Housing remains a big issue in Donegal and he said that planned construction projects in Lifford and St Johnston and progress on the unfinished estate at Meadow Hill, Raphoe are all being progressed.

Councillor Crawford said: “I am happy with my decision to contest the local elections in June. I’m looking forward to canvassing over the next five weeks when I’ll get a chance to talk to, listen to the voters, and take on board their issues and concerns.”