Local election race is on in Leitrim

The Taoiseach announced that the Local and European elections will be taking place on Friday, June 7.

The announcement of the date has sounded the starter's pistol on the race to fill the 18 seats available on Leitrim County Council.

A number of high profile sitting councillors have announced their intention not to run in this election, the latest being Fine Gael councillor Thomas Mulligan from Mohill.

His departure sees him join sitting party colleagues Finola Armstrong-McGuire (Carrick), Frank Dolan (Newtownmanor) and Sean McDermott (Glenfarne) in stepping away from local politics.

This has no doubt given a headache to party organisers who are now in the process of speaking to a number of people with the intention to still run two candidates in the Carrick-on-Shannon local electoral area.

It's becoming a crowded field in all three electoral areas with, to date, 9 confirmed runners in the Ballinamore area, 10 confirmed runners in the Carrick-on-Shannon area (with Fine Gael candidates to be added) and 11 candidates in the Manorhamilton area.

In the Ballinamore electoral area, Fine Gael are running two candidates, incumbents Enda McGloin (Drumshanbo) and Ita Reynolds-Flynn (Gortletteragh).

Fianna Fail poll topper on the last occasion, Paddy O'Rourke from Carrigallen is joined on the party ticket by first time candidate Gary Prior from Aughnasheelin. He has been nominated to run in place of the retiring Caillian Ellis.

Sinn Fein has adopted a bold strategy of running three candidates in distinct geographical areas. Sitting councillor Brendan Barry (Drumshanbo) is joined by first time candidates Roisín Kenny (Aughavas), sister of TD Martin Kenny, and Joanne Curnan (Corraleehan).

Joining them on the ballot paper is long-time Independent councillor Gerry Dolan and first time candidate representing the Green Party, Adam Ó Ceallaigh (both Drumshanbo area).

In the Carrick-on-Shannon electoral area the picture is less clear given the fact Fine Gael has not yet selected any candidates to replace the retiring Finola Armstrong-McGuire and Thomas Mulligan.

Fianna Fail are going with three candidates with sitting councillors Sean McGowan (Dromod) and Paddy Farrell (Leitrim) being joined by first time runner Stephen King from Carrick.

Sinn Fein is running two candidates with Carrick native Cormac Flynn recently joining the party ticket alongside Lisa Mulligan (Eslin).

The Independent ranks will be represented by sitting members Des Guckian (Annaduff) and Enda Stenson (Eslin) with Carrick businesswoman Sharon Garland also on the ballot paper.

The Social Democrats will run a candidate for the first time in Carrick through Lola Gonzalez-Farrell while Leslie O'Hora will represent the Green Party.

An increasingly crowded field in the Manorhamilton electoral area sees 11 candidates, to date, putting their names forward for the six seats on offer.

Fine Gael has lost their two sitting councillors Frank Dolan and Sean McDermott to retirement and first time candidates Caitríona Bergin (Rossinver) and Kevin Comiskey (Newtownmanor) will be hoping to pick up those two seats for the party.

Fianna Fail's two sitting councillors, Mary Bohan (Drumkeerin) and Justin Warnock (Kinlough) are seen as a strong ticket at either end of the electoral area.

Sinn Fein has also added a second candidate to run alongside sitting councillor Padraig Fallon (Drumkeerin) with first time candidate Michelle Brennan Shyabo from Kinlough.

The Green Party and Labour will be represented by Blaithín Gallagher (Creevelea) and Bernie Linnane (Dromahair) respectively.

The Independent ranks now number three with the inclusion in recent days by local campaigner and farmer Eddie Mitchell who is joined on the ballot paper by another local farmer and campaigner James Gilmartin and sitting councillor in Manorhamilton town, local publican Felim Gurn.

Ballinamore MD
Fine Gael - Enda McGloin, Ita Reynolds-Flynn
Fianna Fail - Paddy O'Rourke, Gary Prior
Sinn Fein - Brendan Barry, Joanne Curnan, Roisín Kenny
Independent - Gerry Dolan
Green Party - Adam Ó Ceallaigh

Carrick-on-Shannon MD
Fine Gael - TBC, selection convention to come
Fianna Fail - Paddy Farrell, Stephen King, Sean McGowan
Sinn Fein - Cormac Flynn, Lisa Mulligan
Independent - Sharon Garland, Des Guckian, Enda Stenson
Green Party - Leslie O'Hora
Social Democrats - Lola Gonzalez-Farrell

Manorhamilton MD
Fine Gael - Caitríona Bergin, Kevin Comiskey
Fianna Fail - Mary Bohan, Justin Warnock
Sinn Fein - Michelle Brennan Shyabo, Pádraig Fallon
Independent - James Gilmartin, Felim Gurn, Eddie Mitchell
Green Party - Bláithín Gallagher
Labour - Bernie Linnane