Gallery: South Kildare’s first female TD secures Fianna Fáil support to contest next general election

Photos Pat Tinsley Fiona O’Loughlin, TD for Kildare South was yesterday elected to contest the next general election for Fianna Fáil in Kildare South. Shane Cassells, TD from Meath West Constituency Chaired the meeting where voting commenced to select one only candidate to represent FF in the next General Election. Four candidates dwindled down to two when Fianna Fáil HQ made the decision to select one candidate initially. Cllr Martin Miley of Athy Municipal District, Mayor of Kildare and Gerry Bridgett withdrew their nominations,  leaving the two FF females, Deputy O’Loughlin and Cllr Suzanne Doyle (Kildare-Newbridge MD) to contest the selection. Last week, Deputy O’Loughlin celebrated the 100^th anniversary of women getting the vote and the impact of the dynamic Countess Markievicz on Irish politics in a colourful event at the Rotunda event centre in Dublin, with barrister Constance Cassidy who resides at Lissadell House also addressing the attendance. Whilst the ratio of women elected to the Dáil is quite low, at least in South Kildare, it would seem, our female politicians are more ambitious. [caption id="attachment_208052" align="alignnone" width="300"] Fiona O'Loughlin TD giving her acceptance speech after being ratified as the Fianna Fail candidate for Kildare South on Sunday evening at the Keadeen Hotel.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_208053" align="alignnone" width="300"] Shane Cassells TD Junior Spokesperson on Local Government congratulates Fiona O'Loughlin TD.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_208054" align="alignnone" width="300"] Wilfie Cronin, Johnjo Welsh, Fiona O'Loughlin with Vincent Corcoran and Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Martin Miley Jnr.[/caption]   Speaking to Kildare Now, O’Loughlin said “I am thankful to all the delegates who turned out to vote in the Kildare South Fianna Fáil convention in Hotel Keadeen yesterday. I am heartened and humbled by the trust and faith put in me by the party members and will contest the general election, whenever that may be". She added: “I am thankful to the many members who came out to vote from parts of Laois and Offaly that were only included in Kildare South constituency in the last number of months and the new areas of North Kildare. I want to also congratulate Gerry Bridgett, Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Martin Miley and Cllr Suzanne Doyle on their nomination - and for their ambition to grow our party within Kildare South”.