Former Green Party election candidate Saoirse McHugh is to contest the European elections in the Midlands North West constituency as an Independent.
Ms McHugh came to political prominence during the last European elections, where she finished sixth in the then four seat constituency. Despite previously having a very low national profile, she was seen as one of the standout performers during a campaign television debate, where she clashed with Independent candidate Peter Casey on the topic of immigration.
The following year she stood for the Greens in the 2020 general election in the Mayo constituency, where she was knocked out after the fifth count. She also contested the Seanad elections later that year where she narrowly missed out on a seat.
Ms McHugh quit the Green Party in 2020 after it decided to enter a coalition with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. At the time she said the programme for Government that had been negotiated and later backed by a majority of Green members was a “terrible document”.
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From Achill, Co Mayo, Ms McHugh submitted the necessary paperwork to stand as a candidate in the upcoming European Parliament elections in Midlands North West on Friday. Ms McHugh’s decision to enter the race will likely cleave votes from the Green Party candidate Senator Pauline O’Reilly.
Other candidates running in the five-seat constituency include incumbent MEPs Luke Ming Flanagan, Fine Gael’s Maria Walsh and Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus. Former jockey Nina Carberry is also on the ticket for Fine Gael, with Michelle Gildernew MP was chosen as Sinn Féin’s second candidate.
Fianna Fáil is running three candidates in the constituency, Barry Cowen TD, Senator Lisa Chambers and Senator Niall Blaney. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD is also on the ballot paper. Housing academic Rory Hearne is standing for the Social Democrats, with Fergal Landy contesting the race for the Labour Party. Former RTÉ journalist Ciaran Mullooly is contesting the election in Midlands North West for Independent Ireland.
Voting for the European Parliament elections will take place on June 7th.
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