Galway West by-election candidates emerge as Connolly officially vacates former Dáil seat 

With Catherine Connolly set for her inauguration tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11, attention has subsequently been drawn to her newly vacant Dáil seat in the Galway West constituency.

As potential candidates begin to make themselves apparent, Independent Ireland leader, Michael Collins, has called for the by-election to take place immediately, saying his party’s chosen candidate, Councillor Noel Thomas is “working on the ground as we speak”. 

Councillor Thomas was the first candidate to confirm his intentions to run in the upcoming by-election, after he marginally missed out on the fifth Galway West seat in last year’s general election.  

Following Cllr Thomas, former Greens City Councillor, Niall Murphy has also confirmed his intention to run shortly after the presidential election.  

Mr. Murphy told Galway Pulse that he wants to provide a greener option for Galway: 

“Greens in the last government provided a path towards climate action – from rural buses to solar panels, our Green agenda has been transformative. But now there is no Green voice in government to stop them [the government] from backpedalling. 

“The current coalition has raided the Climate and Nature Fund and have blown all €3 billion on filling holes in their infrastructure budget.  

“They’ve opened the door to costly and polluting LNG and fracked gas and now they’re raising a doubt about the funding for home retrofits. 

“The by-election is an opportunity for Galway to reject these retrograde steps,” he continued. 

Galway West potential candidates

Fine Gael Senator Séan Kyne has been named as the party’s front-runner by the Sunday Times but has declined to comment on the likelihood of his name appearing on the ballot paper.  

When asked, Mr Kyne said: “I will reflect on the question of a by election but won’t be making any comment until the New Year. 

“The writ doesn’t have to be moved until next May at the latest.” 

Social Democrats Councillor, Alan Curran’s name has also been brought up as a popular choice on the left.  

However, Galway Pulse understands that Cllr Curran has yet to make a decision on whether he will run for election.  

He explained: “I’ll be waiting to see when the Government announces the date of the election after the presidential inauguration. 

“We’ve had a lot of discussions about it however within our branch and party.” 

Mayor of Galway and Independent Councillor Mike Cubbard said he is “weighing up his options” but has yet to confirm his intention to run in this by-election. 

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy formally announced the vacant Dáil seat in Galway West last Tuesday, November 3 and while an official date has yet to be established, the upcoming by-election must be held within the next six months, with a Spring date appearing most likely.  

The current occupants of the Galway West Dáil seats are Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell, Fine Gael’s Hildegarde Naughton, Independent Noel Grealish and Fianna Fáil’s John Connolly.  

In the meantime, speculation will continue to grow over who will join them, as more candidates emerge in the coming weeks.