Hospital action candidate to run

THE Roscommon Hospital Action Committee, which last August rallied up to 10,000 people to support its cause, has selected its chairperson John McDermott to run in the election.

Heading up the HAC for the past 10 years, John McDermott will run as an independent candidate in the South Leitrim/Roscommon constituency — of which junior Minister Michael Finneran has dropped out.

Chosen by the HAC yesterday, Mr McDermott said it was time the people were listened too. He said it would be his policy to hold public meetings and be answerable to the people on an ongoing basis.

“We need a total change, real political reform. I am running on the platform of reform in health, education and quality of life. The HAC has huge support within the community and we are saying to people we have a different vision and are asking for their support.”

The HAC first floated the idea of running a candidate to save the hospital in the election at the mammoth protest in Roscommon last year.

The constituency battle will be an interesting one, with all eyes on whether the colourful and often controversial Mayor of Roscommon Luke “Ming” Flanagan can finally take a seat in the Dáil 13 years after he first ran for election in a bid to legalise cannabis.

Since then Flanagan has garnered much support by taking on the issue of turf cutting &and by recently taking a 50% cut in his salary and expenses.

Other candidates are Fine Gael’s Denis Naughten and Frank Feighan, Sinn Féin’s Martin Kelly and for Labour ex-independent councillor John Kelly.

Last weekend, Fianna Fáil selected political novice Ivan Connaughton and Leitrim solicitor Cllr Gerry Kilrane. FF’s Eugene Murphy was expected to announce last night if he would run.