Former Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher eyes return to politics ...
Former TD Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher is set to contest the general election for Fianna Fáil with Minister Charlie McConalogue in Co Donegal.
Former Leas Ceann Comhairle and TD Pat the Cope Gallagher served as a Donegal County Councillor from 1979 and was first elected as a TD in 1981.
After losing his seat in 2020, the Burtonport man is now seeking a return to Leinster House as he joins Minister McConalogue on the Fianna Fáil ticket in Co Donegal.
At a Fianna Fáil selection convention at the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny on Thursday night, Gallagher defeated Cllr Michael Naughton for a spot on the ballot paper.
Pat the Cope Gallagher served as a TD from 1981 to 1997, 2002 to 2009 and 2016 to 2020, Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2016 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 1987 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2008.
He also served as an MEP from 1994 to 2002 and from 2009 to 2014.
Commenting on his selection, Mr Gallagher said he is looking forward to this campaign.
"I am as enthusiastic as I was when I first stood for election.
“I want to congratulate Minister McConalogue and thank all the other candidates for coming forward. “I have been working extremely hard both in public and privately over the past few years on behalf of people who approach me for assistance, and I want to continue doing that for the people of Donegal as their TD.
“I am looking forward to the campaign ahead and I my sole focus is on doing everything I can to win a second seat in Donegal,” said Mr Gallagher.
Charlie McConalogue has served as Minister for Agriculture since 2020 and has served as a TD for Donegal since 2011.
Commenting on his selection, Minister McConalogue said their aim is to deliver two seats in Donegal.
“Given our track record of what we have delivered and can deliver as a party for Donegal, I feel we have every chance of winning two seats.
“Congratulations to Pat the Cope and I want to thank all the other candidates, Cllr Michael Naughton, Senator Niall Blaney, Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly and Ben Harkin.
“I look forward to campaigning on the record of what we have worked really hard to deliver across the county, to putting our platform forward to the people of Donegal and doing everything I can to retain my seat,” said Minister McConalogue.
