Shock defeat for Leonard at Fine Gael convention
Long-serving North Sligo councillor, Joe Leonard, has not ruled out the possibility of running as an Independent in next year's local elections in the Sligo/Drumcliffe area after his shock defeat at a Fine Gael selection convention on Friday night last.
Frankly admitting that he was a ' people man rather than a Party man', Clr. Leonard stressed that he hoped to be added to the ticket by Party headquarters, but revealed that he would ' consider my position' if that did not happen.
"I love what I do. I absolutely love the job of a public representative, and I think I'm reasonably good at it. I believe there would be a sufficient number of people out there to re-elect me to the county council.
"Hopefully, I will be added by the party hierarchy. I have not given any thought to running as an Independent yet, but if I wasn't added to the party ticket, then obviously I would have to consider my position", he told THE SLIGO CHAMPION in the aftermath of Friday night's surprise result.
Clr. Leonard, who has been a member of the county council for 23 years, was one of five candidates who sought a nomination at Friday's convention, which was notable for the return to the electoral front line of former councillor, Matt Lyons.
Mr. Lyons was joined on the ticket by outgoing councillor, Ita Fox, and newcomer, Mr. Hubert Keaney from Drumcliffe, leaving Clr. Leonard and Mr. John McQuaid from Cliffoney as the defeated candidates.
Although the results of a secret ballot taken amongst the 90 delegates will not be made known, it's understood Clr. Leonard was narrowly edged out by Mr. Keaney for the final place on the three-person ticket.
The names of the successful candidates will now be forwarded to headquarters for ratification, at which stage the option of adding Clr. Leonard will be considered.
Reflecting on his shock defeat, the retired school Principal conceded that he may have ' paid a price for being more interested in people rather than party'.
"Most people would think that a councillor should use his position to promote his particular political party. However, I've always felt my first priority was to work for the people of my area, which in itself reflected well on the party. Maybe people thought I should have spent more time lashing the opposition, but my belief was always that work on the ground for the people was far more important", Clr. Leonard said.
Meanwhile, the convention signalled the return from the political wilderness of former Mayor, Matt Lyons.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be back, and the next step now is to win a seat on the council for Fine Gael. The delegates have chosen a very strong team, and with proper vote management we are well capable of taking three of the six seats on offer", he said.
Mr. Lyons previously won a council seat in the old North Sligo constituency in the early 1980's and was also a long-serving member of the borough council before losing his seat at the last local elections.
He has confirmed that he will now seek a party nomination to contest the borough council elections in the West Ward.
- Jim Gray
