Aontú leader to contest in the European elections

Aontú TD and party leader Peadar Tóibín has announced he will be contesting in the Midlands North West constituency in the European elections in June.

He was selected by the party’s Ard Comhairle to seek election in the five-seater constituency.

The Meath West TD said regardless of the outcome of the European election, he will still contest the next general election.

If an MEP leaves the parliament during its term, they can choose to fill the vacant European seat with a replacement.

Speaking following his selection at the weekend, Deputy Tóibín said: “I am very grateful to my colleagues for their confidence in selecting me as their candidate in the Midlands North EU Constituency. I am delighted to join my colleague Patrick Murphy who is the Aontú candidate for Ireland South”.

"I remain committed to the people of Meath West. I am immensely proud of my county. Whatever the outcome of the European Parliament elections I will contest the next general election in Meath West. I hope, based on my record in Meath, that I can retain the confidence of the people of Meath West in that election. I am a conviction and a campaigning politician, therefore I cannot stand idly by and watch the damage that the government is doing to this country. Aontú will use the European elections as a platform to fight for practical common sense solutions to the increasing damage of this government”.