European Elections 2024: Midlands–North-West

From Malin to the M50, the Midlands-Northwest boasts a diverse array of candidates from various political backgrounds. Each bring their own set of unique perspectives and personal priorities, not to mention trying to represent the diverse geographical concerns that fit within this vast five-seat constituency.

Covering 15 counties and encompassing three provinces with a population of close to 1.8 million people, this is a diverse constituencies where reform of CAP, housing and migration combine with more localised issues such as the mica redress scheme, rural development, fisheries, regional funding, and border security.

While major urban centres like Galway, Sligo, Letterkenny and Athlone provide economic hubs, rural parts face unique challenges such as connectivity and employment opportunities.

In total, 27 candidates are set to stand, with each of them hitting the road and pressing the flesh as best they can in the run up to June 7.

Last time out Fine Gael took two seats, bucking the national trend. A huge vote for now Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who topped the poll with 134,000 first preferences, helped get a second candidate in former Rose of Tralee winner Maria Walsh over the line.

McGuinness will not contest the European Parliament elections this time round, but will be replaced in the race by former National Hunt and Irish Grand National winning jockey Nina Carberry.

For Fianna Fáil, Barry Cowen beat two other candidates to win the nomination from the party membership, before headquarters added, Lisa Chambers, and later Niall Blaney.

Sinn Féin has chosen to run MP for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew, alongside sitting MEP, Chris McManus, who was co-opted to the seat in place of Monaghan’s Matt Carthy after he won election to the Dáil.

Elsewhere, and a growing force to be reckoned with, is Aontú leader (and former Sinn Féin TD) Peadar Tóibín who, if he was to be elected, still plans to run in the General Election (when called). If he retained his Meath West seat it’s understood he would nominate sister and Navan councillr, Emer Tóibín to take over the EU chair.

Other party canddiates include: Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly, Labour’s Fergal Landy, the Social Democrats Rory Hearne, the National Party’s Justin Barrett and James Reynolds, the Irish Freedom Party’s Hermann Kelly, Ireland First’s Margaret Maguire, and People Before Profit-Solidarity’s Brian O’Boyle.

This is before the long list of non-party or independent candidates are even counted.

They include Luke Ming Flanagan, an MEP since 2014; former Green candidate now Independent Saoirse McHugh; former RTÉ regional correspondent now Independent Ireland runner, Ciaran Mullooly; failed presidential candidate Peter Casey; Stephen Garland; Charlotte Keenan; Daniel Pocock; Michelle Smith; Gerry Waters; and finally former Irish Times columnist John Waters.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Justin Barrett (National Party)

The Cork born Barrett was leader of Youth Defence, and in 2004 stood as an EU Independent candidate in the East Constituency.

A Eurosceptic, he stood but failed to get elected in the 2020 Irish General Election.

His wife Rebecca Barrett is a National Party candidate in the Dublin constituency.

Niall Blaney (Fianna Fáil)

Elected as a councillor in Donegal in 1999, replacing his father Harry, Blaney also replaced his dad as a TD in 2002 and remained in the seat until 2011. He was elected a Senator in March 2020, and his EU campaign is centred on working for a better deal for small farmers in the run-up to the review of the CAP in 2027.

Anthony Cahill (The Irish People)

An engineer from Salthill in Galway, along with taking a strong stance on immigration, Cahill has also voiced concern over the cost of living and the impact it is having on families. He has a following on social media, and regularly shares content.

Nina Carberry (Fine Gael)

Carberry’s campaign emphasises rural development and agriculture. Her policies are aimed at supporting farmers and improving infrastructure in rural areas. The Meath woman has in the past appeared on RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars and was a judge on the Ireland’s Fittest Family competition.

Peter Casey (Independent)

The Derry-born businessman appeared and former RTÉ Dragons’ Den panellist ran for the Presidency in 2018, but caused controversy with comments he made about Travellers. He also stood in the European elections the following year, attempted to get elected to the Seanad in 2016, and also stood in the 2020 general election as an independent for Donegal constituency in Dublin West.

Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil)

Leader of the Seanad and Fianna Fáil’s group leader in the upper house, she is party spokesperson on Foreign and European Affairs and also chair of the Seanad Brexit Committee. A barrister by profession a former member of the Reserve Defence Forces, the Mayo woman has called for Brussels to take a leading role in protecting children online.

Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil)

A TD for Laois-Offaly, he brings extensive political experience, having served as Minister for Agriculture. Cowen’s campaign focuses on economic development, social justice, and environmental sustainability. His policies aim to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (Independent)

An incumbent MEP known for his outspoken style, his focus includes environmental sustainability, anti-corruption measures, and social justice. Flanagan from Roscommon has campaigned for greater transparency in the EU and stronger environmental protections.

Stephen Garland (Independent)

From Granard, Co Longford, Garland is an events manager who is an advocate for the legalisation of medical cannabis. Diagnoised with Primary Progressive Multiples Sclerosis (PPMS), he stands for disability rights, integrative medicine, and environmentalism.

Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin)

A former MP she brings a wealth of experience and her campaign has a particular focus on improving conditions in rural and under-represented areas. The Tyrone native aims to bring a strong, community-focused approach to the European Parliament.

Rory Hearne (Social Democrats)

A leading expert on the Irish housing crisis, he is also an interest in a range of other areas such as social policy on economic inequality, poverty, fiscal policy, public services, and European social policy. From Waterford, he has also worked as an Economic Policy Analyst with the Think Tank, TASC.

Charlotte Keenan (Independent)

A sports psychologist, songwriter and artist from Tullamore.

Hermann Kelly (Irish Freedom Party)

A former secondary school teacher from Derry who became a journalist, Kelly was formerly director of communications for the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group in the European Parliament, and his since come to work with The European Conservatives and Reformists Group. He is a founding member of The Irish Freedom Party and its current president.

Fergal Landy (Labour)

Currently Chief Executive Officer of the Family Resource Centre National Forum who previously worked with the HSE, the Clare native wants a clear line of accountability between the citizen and the European Union, a rights-based approach to public service provision, and an economy that serves society.

Chris MacManus (Sinn Féin)

Running for return to the parliament, his tenure in Europe has been marked by strong advocacy for workers’ rights and social equality. The Sligoman’s focus is on issues like climate change, rural development, and the rights of marginalised communities.

Margaret Maguire (Ireland First)

The Mullingar businesswoman who spent most of her life living in the UK lists preserving our nation as her top priority. As one of the co-founders of Ireland First with anti-immigration campaigner and party President Derek Blighe. She too wants strict border control, and to scrap the carbon tax.

Saoirse McHugh (Independent)

Four years after her high profile exit from the Green party, environmentalist McHugh has said one of her primary concerns is the rise of the far-right in politics. Climate change and housing crisis feature strongly in the Mayo woman’s campaigning.

Ciaran Mullooly (Independent Ireland)

His campaign is centred around accountability and rural development. The Longford man, who previously worked as Midlands RTÉ correspondent based in Athlone is advocating for greater support for rural communities and aims to bring a strong, independent voice to the European Parliament.

Brian O’Boyle (PBP-SOL)

A member of People Before Profit for nearly 20 years, he has served on its National Council and as National Organiser. A socialist since the Iraq war, Brian chaired Right2Water in his hometown Sligo, played an active role in Yes Equality and The Repeal Campaign and is currently part of the organising committee of the Sligo Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Pauline O’Reilly (Green Party)

Elected to the Seanad in 2020 and Chair of the Green Party in 2021, having served on Galway council, her campaign focuses on combatting climate change, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing public transport. O’Reilly aims to bring Green Party values to the European stage, advocating for policies that protect the environment and promote social justice.

Daniel Pocock (Independent)

An Irish-Australian software engineer living in Letterkenny, he has worked for a number of banks and in 2021 founded the Software Freedom Institute. Climate change, cost of living, rail expansion, are all issues that concern him, not to mention the current state of the Irish health system.

James Reynolds (National Party)

Leader and a founding member of the National Party, the farmer from north Longford was chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association in 1999, and ICSA honorary secretary in 2014. He believes Ireland should be a sovereign and independent nation, and he established “Farmers For No” which campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty (2008/9) and the Fiscal Compact Treaty (2012).

Michelle Smith (Independent)

An accountant from Mayo, the ex-Sinn Féin member led protests against the accommodation of 50 male asylum seekers in a Ballinrobe hotel. She too has a large following on social media and if elected says she would oppose the EU Migration Pact.

Peadar Tóibín (Aontú)

First elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Meath West constituency at the 2011 general election, his platform emphasises Irish unity, economic justice, and pro-life policies.

Tóibín’s campaign focuses on protecting Irish culture and identity while advocating for policies that support families and workers.

Maria Walsh (Fine Gael)

Seeking re-election, she is known for her strong advocacy on social issues and has been a vocal supporter of mental health initiatives and LGBTQ+ rights.

In Europe, Mayo’s Walsh has worked on policies promoting youth engagement and women’s rights. Her campaign continues to focus on social issues.

Gerry Waters (Independent)

The former GP from Kildare refused to administer Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic, describing it as a hoax of C19 pathogenicity and mRNA. He was suspended by the Medical Council.

John Waters (Independent)

The former Irish Times columnist was a prominent campaigner against the Government’s Covid restrictions, whose Supreme Court challenge against restrictions, taken with Gemma O’Doherty, was ultimately dismissed. He wants balanced regional development and says his core values are life, family and community.