Michael Cahill wants to be Fianna Fáil nominee in next general election

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill, who re-joined the party in July, has declared his intention to seek a nomination to contest the next general election.

More than 100 people turned out at a meeting in Killorglin on Saturday night to show their support. They are being asked to apply for party membership, if they have not already done so, and decide on a strategy to ensure Mr Cahill’s selection.

Mr Cahill, 50, a married father-of-four, is a county councillor since 1990. A former publican, based in Glenbeigh, and with strong links in Killorglin, he left Fianna Fáil in 2011. He was central to the election of Tom Fleming as an independent TD, in Kerry South, after Mr Fleming too left the party. He worked as parliamentary assistant for Mr Fleming, for over three years.

Mr Cahill said: “I want to make by position clear. I want a nomination and I am going to actively campaign to get on the Fianna Fáil ticket for the next general election.”

Elected in the first count in South and West Kerry at the last local elections, Mr Cahill says he is “untested” outside of mid Kerry, but believes he has strong connections and support in Killarney and east Kerry.