By Diarmaid Doherty
Veteran Fianna Fáil member Pat the Cope Gallagher has said he will take time over the Christmas and New Year holidays to consider a possible return to the political stage.
The former TD who lost his seat in the 2020 General Election, said he considers it a great honour at this stage of his career that his fellow party members want him back.
Mr Gallagher has been nominated as a Fianna Fáil candidate to contest next summer’s European elections for the Midlands-North West constituency.
He joins fellow Donegal politician Senator Niall Blaney, Mayo Senator Lisa Chambers, and Offaly-Laois TD Barry Cowen as the other party nominees.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr. Gallagher said he was surprised that his name was put forward.
“I got a sufficient number of nominations,” he said.
“I got a call from party HQ to say I had been nominated and what I am saying now is that I will consider it over the Christmas and New Year break.”
Asked if he was consulted by party colleagues on the matter prior to being nominated, he replied: “It’s their prerogative, they don’t have to consult with me at all.
“But they submitted my name and I consider it a great honour that at this stage, people would still consider me to run.”
Pat the Cope Gallagher, pictured earlier this year, cutting the ribbon to officially open a new €2.2 million development in Dungloe that will cater for clients with special needs. Photo: Eoin McGarvey.
Mr. Gallagher said it will also be up to the party to decide whether or not to run both himself and Senator Blaney on the party ticket.
“It if happens, it’s a matter for convention to decide on that,” he said.
“They are an intelligent electorate and they will decide on that themselves.”
Pat the Cope Gallagher along with IFI chairman Willie McCarter in 1998 cutting the first sod for the Crannog Activity Centre in Narin.
Despite being out of politics for well over three years, Mr. Gallagher has not stepped away from his busy life within his local community. Indeed he remains almost as active as ever, taking calls from members of the public and assisting in all aspects of community life.
He served twice as an MEP from 1994 to 2002 and again from 2009 to 2014 and was Leas Cheann Comhairle in the last Dáil between 2016 to 2020.
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