Former Fianna Fáil Donegal TD Pat the Cope Gallagher believes there is a “real possibility of a general election in the autumn”.
In a letter sent to party members in the county he said much needs to be done to prepare Fianna Fáil for this year’s electoral challenges.
Mr Gallagher, who also previously served as an MEP, was recently nominated to put his name forward at the party’s upcoming candidate selection convention for the European Parliament elections in the Midlands-North-West constituency.
However, he wrote that after much consideration he would not allow his name to go forward and will instead remain active in the constituency.
He said that he will help prepare the party for the imminent local elections and the possible general election in the autumn.
The 75-year-old former Minister of State said he would play his part in maximising the “party’s best chances of winning the optimum number of seats”.
Mr Gallagher’s letter will further fuel speculation that he is seeking to run in the next general election in Donegal having lost his seat in 2020.
Currently Fianna Fáil has one TD in the constituency, however, Charlie McConalogue is viewed by some in the party as “a good bet” to be appointed Ireland’s next European Commissioner later this year.
