Longford Fine Gael add two new candidates to local elections line-up

25 Mar 2024

Longford Leader

Niall Gannon and Padraig McNamara bidding to win seats in Longford MD and Granard MD

The Longford Fine Gael executive has announced the addition of Padraig McNamara in the Granard municipal district and Niall Gannon in the Longford municipal district to contest the local elections in June.

Mr McNamara will join FG's three outgoing councillors Paraic Brady, Garry Murtagh and Colin Dalton on the Granard FG ticket, while Mr Gannon joins an FG ticket in Longford municipal district that also features outgoing councillors Peggy Nolan and Gerry Hagan.

Padraig McNamara is married to Angela and is father to Conor & Rachel. With a career spanning over 27 years as a postmaster in Granard, he has dedicated his life to community service and effective problem-solving.

His engagement extended to a 25-year tenure on the National Executive of the Irish Postmasters Union, fulfilling several roles and contributing significantly to the organisation. He further served on the National Agent Council of the National Lottery and completed a 6-year term on the board of An Post, underscoring his commitment to the postal sector's evolution and sustainability.

Mr McNamara’s involvement with both primary and secondary school boards for three terms and over a decade with Granard Motte Community Enterprise CLG has deepened his understanding and commitment to local development and education.

His consistently proactive approach has led to direct negotiations with government officials, culminating in a pivotal accomplishment last year - securing €30 million over three years to safeguard the post office network across communities. This achievement not only emphasizes his negotiation skills but also highlights his deep understanding of the necessity for cross-party support to secure funding and support for community-led initiatives.

Driven by a relentless passion for community service, Mr McNamara’s experience has equipped him with an invaluable understanding of government operations, funding mechanisms, and the indispensable value of a united community.

Niall Gannon is husband to Orlaith and the proud father of four young children. He has been a teacher at St Michael's National School, Longford since 1998, where he worked as the school's home school liaison officer for eight years, assisting local families to ensure their children received the best education possible.

Mr Gannon is a member of several community organisations, including Longford Musical Society, Backstage Theatre and Longford Town Football Club, and has regularly assisted with charitable events in the town and county.

He is a founding committee member of Longford Triathlon Club and spent four years as President of Longford Lions Club.
Additionally, Mr Gannon has coached various underage sports teams across the GAA, soccer and rugby.

He comes from a family with strong Fine Gael roots, with his grandfather and parents having a long association with the party. As a first-time candidate, he brings fresh thinking and new energy to represent the people of Longford.

Mr Gannon wants to make Longford a better place to live for everyone, with more affordable housing, better utilisation and development of community facilities and the regeneration of Longford town centre.

Also read: Former Longford & Leinster GAA Chairperson Martin Skelly selected on Fine Gael’s team in Ballymahon MD

Previously, former Leinster and Longford GAA Chairperson Martin Skelly, was chosen as a candidate to contest the June 7 election in the Ballymahon Municipal District, joining outgoing councillors Colm Murray and Paul Ross on the FG ticket.

FG's third outgoing councillor in the Ballymahon MD area, Lanesboro-based Cllr Ger Farrell, isn't contesting the upcoming election and at a selection convention in Abbeyshrule last December, Mr Skelly defeated Cllr Farrell's sister Lorraine and Ballymahon's Gráinne Moffitt in a vote to gain his place on the election ticket.

Hailing from Newtowncashel, Mr Skelly is a dedicated family man with a strong commitment to community development and volunteering. He has a proven track record of leadership and advocacy for job creation and skills revitalisation in South Longford.

Through his involvement in local organisations and charity events, such as Longford GAA Race Day & the Longford Rose of Tralee, he has raised significant funds for local charities and Longford GAA. Additionally, his roles as Chairperson of the Leinster Council of the GAA and Longford County Board demonstrate his passion for promoting sports and community facilities.

Martin's focus on improving infrastructure, such as roads and internet access, shows his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents in the Ballymahon district. With a background in farming and finance, Martin is also acutely aware of the needs of people living in rural communities.

Martin's family is not new to politics as his grandfather, Tom O'Shea was a local County Councillor for the Ballymahon district from 1932 to 1945.

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