Ex-county councillor tipped for FF seat

SPECULATION mounted last night that a well-known businessman and former county councillor could be on his way back to County Hall as a public representative.

It was a major shock at the last local elections four years ago when Vivian O’Callaghan Snr lost his seat. But it is understood that he is in the running to be co-opted back onto the council following the resignation of Councillor Donal Casey, who is also from the Bantry area.

Mr Casey, 60, confirmed yesterday he was retiring from politics. He ran for FF in the last local election on the proviso that he would only serve four years.

It is believed up to a dozen candidates could be in the running to replace him. Well-placed Fianna Fáil sources said, apart from Mr O’Callaghan, other names being mentioned as possible successors included Senator Denis O’Donovan’s son, Gerard, Bantry ex-mayor Pat Bonna Kelly, along with council colleague, Aidan McCarthy, also a former mayor.

Mr McCarthy, who owns Caislean Stone Masons Ltd, is being tipped in some quarters as a front-runner. He was a former election agent for Denis O’Donovan when the ex-TD won his seat in 2002.

Fianna Fáil interviews for the position are scheduled to take place shortly and will be undertaken by Sean Dorgan, party general secretary. It is understood that the dozen or so will be whittled down to three, at which stage the party will take a poll on the candidates before picking a winner.

Mr Casey said he would support whoever the party chooses to replace him.

A self-made businessman, he operated a string of garages and tyre centres, the running of which have been taken over by his son, Sean.