Thurles Information

Máire Hoctor

Former Fianna Fáil Minister of State Máire Hoctor, last night came through a major threat to her political future, when she survived a strong challenge, at her local selection convention.

While some observers had predicted defeat for the sitting TD,  prior to the selection convention, with her main stumbling block seen as County Councillor Micheal Smith (jnr), latter the son of former Cabinet Minister Michael Smith.

Fianna Fáil had already decided to run just one candidate in the constituency for the general election and successfully outmanoeuvred Micheal Smith by a total of 176 votes to 131 at the convention, which was held here in the Ragg, Inch, Thurles

Councillor John Hogan, also a candidate, informed the convention of his intention to withdraw from the race, at the outset of  the delegate meeting. This move caused some surprise, as previously he had came close to defeating Máire Hoctor for a nomination, prior to the 2007 general election convention. However, rumours of dirty tricks in the race for power, within FF’s party grass roots, are believed to have been responsible for the ‘straight talking’ Councillor Hogan’s decision to withdraw his nomination. Untrue representation made to local newspapers in the North Tipperary/South Offaly constituency, prior to the election convention, which claimed that Councillor Hogan had indicated that he no longer wished to be considered by Fianna Fáil’s delegates, may have lead to his decision to withdraw.

While many of the FF grass roots would have welcomed a change in candidates, many delegates felt, that a change at this time might have given considerable advantage to Labour MEP Alan Kelly, who will now run as a candidate in the constituency and who is understood by many to fancy himself greatly as a possible future leader of the Irish Labour Party.

Following the Convention M/S Hoctor stated that Fianna Fáil members must now inform the constituency that both Labour and Fine Gael “are not ready for Government and that Fianna Fáil have not gone away or died.”

Máire Hoctor became a TD first in 2002 when she successfully ran, joining Michael Smith (Snr) on the FF ticket. She served as Minister of State for older people, but was sacked in March 2009, when Brian Cowen reduced the number of junior ministries. She is one of the earliest FF critic of Brian Cowen’s performance, accusing  the Taoiseach last year of failing to communicate with her. Indeed M/S Hoctor grew increasingly unset with the way in which Michael Lowry TD was being allowed to wheel and deal with her party leader and was able to claim credit, in advance, for a series of capital projects in Ms Hoctor’s own constituency area, before she was even aware of any progress being made.

A contingent of ‘die hard’ FF party supporters, packed into the venue for last night’s selection event, with some 306 members entitled to vote. In the past Fianna Fáil has held two out of three seats in Tipperary North, with Mr Smith (Snr) losing his seat in the 2007 election.

Last night was councillor Michael Smith ( jnr) first attempt at an election nomination, while John Hogan, a county councillor for 11 years, had unsuccessfully sought a Dáil nomination in 2007.

With strong rumours of several previously strong businesses about to announce their intentions to close, within the town of Thurles in the coming weeks, Fianna Fáil support in the area is expected to be even further minimized come election time.

Many disillusioned local voters claim that there is now no real great leadership choice for them in the North Tipperary/South Offaly constituency and there is no one new who is prepared to come forward in time to challenge a seat in the next General Election.