Former Young Fine Gael president considering Galway West by-election run
The by-election is expected to take place next year. File picture
A former president of Young Fine Gael has said he may put himself forward for a nomination for the Galway West by-election.
Eoghan Gallagher confirmed he was considering a run in the by-election, expected to take place next year.
“It is not something that had crossed by mind,” Mr Gallagher said.
However, he said he was in contact with Fine Gael members in the constituency, who have urged him to contest for the nomination.
“I’m starting to think it’s something worth considering,” he added.
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Mr Gallagher previously contested the 2024 local elections for Galway County Council in the Athenry-Oranmore local electoral area.
He was eliminated on the final count, having received 1,463 votes.
In the same local electoral area, two councillors elected have since gone on to become TDs: Fianna Fáil’s Albert Dolan and Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara.
Mr Gallagher was the president of Young Fine Gael between 2023 and 2025, having worked for former junior minister Josepha Madigan.
A Fine Gael source in the constituency said there is an “appetite” within the party for new faces to come forward for the by-election:
At present, there is an expectation the convention could be contested by sitting senator Seán Kyne as well as Mr Gallagher and councillor Eddie Hoare.
Mr Kyne previously won a seat for the party in Galway West in 2016, but lost it in 2020 and was unsuccessful in 2024.
He originally planned to step back from politics after his 2024 defeat, but returned to the upper house of the Oireachtas and was made leader of the Seanad.
Mr Kyne said he has not ruled out a run, having been asked to consider it by supporters.
“I’ll reflect on it and make a decision in the new year,” Mr Kyne said.
The only candidate formally in the race is Noel Thomas of Independent Ireland.
Mr Thomas is a former Fianna Fáil councillor who left the party over a row surrounding asylum seeker accommodation.
He fought the general election last year, but lost to Independent TD Noel Grealish, who was elected on the final count.
With the election of Catherine Connolly as the 10th President of Ireland, she vacated the seat in Galway West.
Under the Constitution, there is a requirement for the by-election writ to be signed within six months of a vacancy arising in the Dáil.
This means the election itself can be held as late as April or May next year.
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