By Dionne Meehan
FIANNA FÁIL’S Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher has secured the third seat in the Donegal constituency.
After narrowly missing out on a seat in the 2020 General Election, the political veteran thought that was the end of his long political career.
However, after serious consideration, he decided to throw his hat back into the ring for the latest election battle.
“This is a far cry from five years ago when I was here and lost out by some hundred votes,” Deputy Gallagher said.
“When I left here in 2020, I thought that was the end of my long political career.
“But, people continued to contact me seven days a week for the last number of years and I was happy to use the contacts that I had built up over all of those years at local, national and European level.
“I thought seriously about it when I was approached by the organisation on the ground to contest convention.
“I took the view that I was in a very strong position to win back the seat. I went to convention, was selected and put in an exceptional campaign.”
But Deputy Gallagher said he didn’t do all the hard work on his own.
“I had a great team,” he said.
“We had hundreds out canvassing, of all ages, young and not so young.”
Elsewhere in the election, things are looking good for Deputy Gallagher’s party colleague, Charlie McConalogue.
“I ran in this election not just to win one seat, I ran to win two seats and to accompany Charlie McConalogue back to the Dáil,” Deputy Gallagher said.
“We are quietly confident that will transpire.
“It doesn’t matter, should he win the last seat, we will be very happy.
“Charlie has been a good colleague over the years and I would hope that he will be back with me to work on behalf of the people of this county.”
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