Pictured at the Fine Gael Selection Convention in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim for the forthcoming Meath County Council elections were, Dr Ahmad Jamal, Navan (Fine Gael National Executive), Cllr Niamh Souhan, Cllr Joe Fox, newly selected candidate Luba Healy and convention chairman, Colm Markey, Midlands North West MEP.

Luba Healy joins Fine Gael ticket for Trim area

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2024

Luba Healy, who has been spearheading humanitarian missions to her native Ukraine since the outbreak of war, is to be a candidate for Fine Gael in the Trim Municipal Area in this year's local elections, along with sitting councillors, Joe Fox and Niamh Souhan.

Midlands North-West Fine Gael MEP, Colm Markey, chaired the Meath Fine Gael Selection Convention at the Knightsbrook Hotel on Thursday last, which went to a delegates’ vote when four nominees contested three candidacies. Over 100 were in attendance at the convention.

Cllr Fox was nominated by Philomena de Lacey, and seconded by Paddy Byrne. Cllr Souhan was nominated by Robert O’Reilly, and seconded by former councillor and fellow Enfield member, Willie Carey. Luba Healy was added to the Fine Gael ticket as the third and final candidate on the nomination of Alan McEntee seconded by another former councillor, Gerry O’Reilly. Another former councillor, Willie Fay, was unsuccessful in his attempt to be added to the ticket, having been nominated by former colleague, Peter Higgins, and seconded by Jim Mahon.

Ms Healy takes up the place left by Noel French, the party's poll topping councillor and former general election candidate, who found party politics too restrictive and resigned from Fine Gael.

Colm Markey MEP referred to the strength of public support for Fine Gael which has traditionally existed in County Meath.

“Across all electoral areas in Meath, Fine Gael has always had very strong representation and very a strong identity,” he said. In congratulating the successful nominees and wishing them well in the elections for Meath County Council, Mr Markey added: “Rural Ireland is and the massive investment in every county under Fine Gael has been truly remarkable. It is imperative now that we build on that success for the betterment of everybody in County Meath,” he said.