By Dan Walsh
While it will be the end of next week before the polling day date on Friday, November 29th is officially announced by the government the General Election campaign is ‘unofficially’ in full flight in the two constituencies serving Co. Wexford – Wexford constituency (4 seats) and the new South Wicklow North Wexford constituency (3 seats).
Fianna Fáil has selected former international referee Michelle O’Neill, (46), as their candidate for the Wexford constituency. She will be joined on the party ticket by outgoing TD and Minister of State James Browne.
Ms. O’Neill stood for Deputy Verona Murphy’s Independent Alliance in last June’s Local Elections in the Wexford Borough District where she received 368 first preference votes.
Ms. O’Neill said that the party’s investment in female sport was a key aspect in her decision to run. “Fianna Fáil believes in the power of women in sport and that has been shown by the overall percentage of women on boards across the sport sector. I am someone who has broken glass ceilings throughout my career, I pledge to continue to do that,” she said.
Tánaiste Mícheál Martin said that he was “delighted” to welcome Michelle O’Neill as the party’s additional candidate.
Ms. O’Neill, who is originally from Enniscorthy, but grew up in Bree, retired from refereeing last month, and had a long and decorated career. In 2019, she became the Irish person to officiate at a FIFA World Cup Final, overseeing the United States’ 2-0 victory against the Netherlands.
WexfordLocal.com 