BY C.J.MCGINLEY
ONE of the youngest candidates to put himself forward for the forthcoming elections launched his campaign tonight (Wednesday).
James Pat McDaid (25) from Glenkeeragh, Glenswilly, has been nominated by the Fianna Fail party as one of four candidates to run in the Letterkenny/Milford electoral area.
Coming from a well-known family from Glenswilly, he will be known to many from his GAA achievements as the outgoing captain of county champions Glenswilly.
He is the son of James and Peggy (nee McDermott, Termon) and has four siblings, Barry, Nicola, Aisling and Mark. His grand-father, Barney, is a former President of the Fianna Fail Dail Ceanntair.
A former student of Glenswilly National School and St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny, he studied Sustainable Building Technology at Sligo I.T.
Speaking to the Donegal News, he some of his key priorities would be road safety education for young drivers, security for the elderly, healthcare and the reinstatement of a paediatric clinical nurse for diabetes patients at Letterkenny General Hospital.
He was joined on the platform by former Government Minister and local GP, Dr James McDaid, Director of Elections, Mr Niall Doherty, Deputy Charlie McConalogue and Donegal GAA captain and friend, Michael Murphy.
Among those in attendance were Fianna Fail county councillors Ciaran Brogan, Paul Canning, Liam Blaney and Seamus O’Domhnaill along with former councillor Noel McGinley.
Dr McDaid told an enthusiastic gathering paid tribute to the young candidate’s family for their ‘loyalty’ to him over 20 years in public life.
“There are four candidates in this area for Fianna Fail and I’m hopeful we can elect them all. I sincerely hope James is elected,” he said.
“The huge crowd he has here tonight is very encouraging and hopefully it carries through for the next few months,” Dr McDaid added.
He said the candidate was a personable young man with no baggage.
“He is at the heart of his local community where they have a track record of winning when they put their back behind something. When you get the captain of the All-Ireland winning team behind you that speaks for itself.
“I think I got over 400 votes in the Glen in my hayday. Between all the boxes there are over 1,800 on the electoral register. If James can get 600 out of the Glen I’m sure we’ll get the other 1,000 for him,” Dr McDaid added.
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