Independent Offaly councillor rules out standing in next General Election

Independent councillor John Leahy has ruled out contesting the next General Election in the new Offaly three-seater constituency..

Cllr Leahy said he "doesn't have a good chance of getting elected" and revealed he was approached by a number of political groupings to stand as a candidate.

The Kilcormac based public representative said he wishes to put the question of contesting the General Election to bed.

In a statement on Monday, Cllr Leahy said: "On the canvass many asked me and indeed encouraged me to contest the upcoming General Election and since the election, I have been approached by many to consider putting myself forward. Certain national political groupings have also asked me to consider putting my name on the ballot paper. I of course appreciate people having such confidence in me, but I wish to state publicly now, that I have no desire to contest this election."

"I was honoured to be elected a councillor again in the recent local elections. The response I got on the ground was very positive and I really am so thankful to all those who turned out and voted for me."

In his statement, Cllr Leahy elaborated on his reasons for not putting his name forward.

He said: "One has to be sensible when putting his/her name on the ballot paper; does he or she stand a good chance of getting elected. The truth is I don't believe I would have  a good chance of being returned in the three seater of the Offaly constituency in the upcoming election. The primary reason for this is Deputy Carol Nolan. Deputy Nolan is clearly very popular on the ground and I believe she will top the poll in the upcoming election. Fianna Fáil will definitely win the second seat in my mind and that leaves the third seat between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. I geographically am too close to Carol and she would definitely take from my first preference and therefore leave me too far behind to realistically win the final seat. That is the reality of the situation for me, so it wouldn't make any sense for me to put my name on the ballot paper."

Cllr. Leahy expressed his admiration for all those who will put their names forward in a bid to win a Dáil seat.

He concluded: "We live in a great country and it is built on people putting themselves forward to contest elections. I have  contested three General Elections and they are bruising campaigns, so all those candidates who are seeking a Dáil seat, well they have my full respect and I wish them the very best of luck in the their efforts to get to the Dáil."