Former RTÉ journalist confirms he will be running in European elections

Updated at 21:05

Former RTÉ Midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly will run for Independent Ireland as one of its candidates in this summer’s European elections, the party officially confirmed to the Roscommon Herald this evening.

Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice confirmed that Mr Mullooly would be standing as the party's candidate in the Midlands Northwest constituency.

Deputy Fitzmaurice and Ciaran Mullooly made the official announcement during their visit today to Lough Funshinagh in County Roscommon, a flood-prone lake which is threatening local people’s homes.

Speaking to the Roscommon Herald at Lough Funshinagh about the new candidate, Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “Ciaran is a straight shooter and has a good knowledge of rural Ireland.

"He is going in fresh, as a straight shooter to try and change things. Second of all, he has a lot done in tourism, and he has an awful lot done around the country, such as agriculture, and has a good knowledge of how the European union works.

“What we want is people with common sense. Where we are today, there is an elderly person living in hell, her house is in danger, her life is in danger, along with all the other people around here.

"Common sense must prevail. The political system has failed this community; this issue has gone legal and you cannot touch it. If that’s what Europe is about, then we need to change it and we need people to go to Europe to change it,” he said.

Mr Mullooly said that when Independent Ireland approached him, he wanted to know what it envisaged in terms of the European parliament work that could be taken on, and the Lough Funshinagh issue “came into our conversation straight away”.

Mr Mullooly retired from RTÉ in 2021 after 27 years. From Lansborough, Co Longford, he is a well-known community activist and currently the Just Transition tourism activator with Longford County Council.

Formed last November, the Independent Ireland party comprises three deputies, Roscommon-Galway Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, Michael Collins from Cork and Limerick’s Richard O'Donoghue.

Commenting to the increasing media reports about his potential candidacy, Mr Mulloly posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he would be making a statement on the matter later.

I am aware of media reports today on my possible candidacy for the European parliament . I have been attending a funeral in my own community with my family today and will issue a response later at an appropriate time. Thank you

— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) April 5, 2024

The Midlands-North-West constituency will elect five MEPs in elections scheduled for June 7th. There are currently 15 candidates running for the five Euro seats.