Cannon named as new leader of Progressive Democrats

Senator Ciaran Cannon has been appointed the new leader of the Progressive Democrats, it was announced today.

He narrowly beat fellow Senator Fiona O’Malley, daughter of party founder Des O’Malley, with 51% to 49% of the votes.

The 42-year-old Co Galway native will replace acting leader Mary Harney, who took over after Michael McDowell lost his Dáil seat last May.

A total of 3900 party members were eligible to vote.

“Mr Liam Twohig, the Returning Officer, announced the result to the Chairman of the Progressive Democrats Peter Wyre as the count ended in early hours of this morning,” a party spokesman said.

“The counting of votes had commenced on Wednesday night at the company’s offices in Ranelagh in Dublin.

“Mr Twohig declared that Senator Ciaran Cannon had won the election and was deemed to be the new leader of the Progressive Democrats.”

From Kiltullagh, near Athenry, Senator Cannon was elected to Galway County Council in 2004 representing the Loughrea Electoral Area.

He unsuccessfully contested the 2007 general election for Galway East polling just over 3300 first preference votes.

In 2000 he was appointed National Administrator and then Chief Executive of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, a nationwide charity of 6,000 volunteers caring for young people with special needs.

During the six-week leadership contest he pledged to radically overhaul the party structure if elected.

He is to be officially unveiled as party chief at a press conference this morning.

Previously confined to just TDs, the party changed the leadership contest rules earlier this year to allow senators, councillors and others who were in the party for at least two years to run.

The leadership announcement was deferred from yesterday as a mark of respect for the state funeral of former president Dr Patrick Hillery.