Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher is set to make a dramatic return to politics in next year’s European elections.
The 75 year-old Dungloe man has put himself forward as a nominee to become a Fianna Fáil candidate to contest the June 2024 deciders.
The party informed potential candidates on Monday night that Mr Gallagher, a former TD, is one of the nominated candidates for the Midlands-North-West constituency. He will be joined by fellow Donegal party candidate, Senator Niall Blaney, as well as Mayo Senator Lisa Chambers and Offaly-Laois TD Barry Cowen.
Sources told the Irish Examiner it was a “total surprise” that Mr Gallagher’s name has appeared as a nominee and said it will become interesting given there are now two from Donegal who will contest the convention.
Sources said they knew something was happening behind the scenes as they were due to learn of the nominated candidates on Sunday but it was delayed until late on Monday.
In a message circulated to candidates, Fianna Fáil headquarters said the National Constituencies Committee will now consider the matter both in terms of strategy for and the preparations for the Convention.
Pat the Cope Gallagher served twice as an MEP from 1994 to 2002 and again from 2009 to 2014.
He served as Leas Cheann Comhairle in the last Dáil between 2016 to 2020 and during his time in the Dáil, he has held various portfolios as Minister of State including Marine, Gaeltacht, Environment, Health and Transport.
The former TD lost his seat in the 2020 General Election having been impacted by the Sinn Fein surge.
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