11 June 1997
Fianna Fail to headhunt Flanagan
Exclusive by Tom Kelly
A confidential dossier has been compiled by top ranking Fianna Fail officials in the county containing a list of potential candidates to be headhunted over the coming months, the Connaught Telegraph has learned.
Top of the secret list being put together in the wake of the party's lack-lustre Mayo performance in the General Election is the name of experienced Mayo football star Dermot Flanagan.
A son of former Government Minister and European Parliament member, the late Sean Flanagan, he will be approached in the coming weeks to establish whether he is interested.
He is one of three names being linked as possible replacements for defeated outgoing candidate, P.J. Morley, who has indicated he will not be standing for Dail Eireann again.
Mr. Flanagan, a native of Ballaghaderreen, practices as a barrister in Dublin and is considered of ideal age and political pedigree to seek a Dail mandate.
Fianna Fail have been stung by the loss of their traditional dominance in Mayo to Fine Gael and will be going all out on the next occasion to redress this situation.
The other two names on the Fianna Fail hitlist are Pat McHugh, the present chairman of Mayo County Council who had been mentioned as a possible successor to Deputy Morley as he got closer to retirement age, and Evan O'Dwyer of Ballyhaunis.
Mr. O'Dwyer, who is currently based in Brussels, is a son of John O'Dwyer, the Fianna Fail director of elections in Mayo.
In his early twenties, he has been steeped in politics from an early age and is considered to have an deep interest in the national political scene.
While refusing to be drawn on any potential candidates, Mr. John O'Dywer has made it clear that changes are necessary if the party is going to win back lost ground.
The organisation is also examining the overall picture in the Ballina and Erris areas where traditional Fianna Fail support has collapsed.
Influential sources within the party have revealed that a new candidate will be in place before the next General Election to succeed Dr. Tom Moffatt.
Darragh Calleary, a son of former Dail Deputy Sean, will definitely be sounded out by the party's headhunters.
If Mr. Calleary does not show an interest, they will turn their attention to Ms. Annie May Reape, a popular member of Mayo County Council.
It is understood the party is happy to give Westport -based Seamus Hughes the opportunity of regaining his seat at a future date.
But he could be asked to contest the forthcoming election for the Senate in order to maintain his high profile.
Fine Gael's Ernie Caffrey has also expressed an interest in winning a senatorship, while the outgoing Senator Paddy Burke will be hoping to retain his seat.
