Davitt for Europe
Senator Aidan Davitt is in the running for a place on the Fianna Fail ticket in next summer’s European elections, the Westmeath Examiner has learned.
The Mullingar native, who was elected to the Seanad in 2016, is one of the names being considered to contest the European elections for the party in the Midlands North West constituency.
It is believed that the party intends to select one candidate from the midlands and another from the northern region of the constituency.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Senator Davitt said that he is “happy to facilitate the party in any way he can”.
“I have been working with councillors in Westmeath and councillors in the constituency’s other counties during my time in the Seanad and beforehand as a member of Westmeath County Council.
“At present I am working with Deputy Robert Troy and Joe Flaherty [Fianna Fáil general election candidate in Longford) to try to win two seats in the Longford Westmeath constituency.
“That’s our priority at present. Anything that I can do to help the party, I’d be happy to do so.”
During his time as a county councillor, Senator Davitt was elected to the Council of Europe by his peers from across the country.
He says that he would welcome the opportunity to become the first MEP from Westmeath since Paddy Cooney in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
“It’s nice to mentioned in connection with running for Europe. I would hope that my previous work with the councillors in the midlands and Ulster and Connacht over the last while would be of great help if selected by the party.”
In addition to his political links, Senator Davitt has served on a number of GAA committees at provincial and national level and through his work with Sherry FitzGerald Davitt and Davitt has been a long-time member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers, of which his uncle Pat Davitt is currently the serving CEO.
Midlands North West
The Midlands North West comprises 15 counties (Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath). However, Offaly and Laois are moving to the South constituency for next summer’s election.
The constituency’s four sitting MEPs are Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (Ind), Mairead McGuinness (FG), Matt Carty (SF) and Marian Harkin (Ind).