Fianna Fáil selects Lahart for bye-election

FIANNA Fáil members in Dublin South-West have ratified Councillor John Lahart as the party’s candidate for the upcoming bye-election to fill the vacant Dáil seat in the constituency.

The seat was vacated by Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes following his success in May’s European elections.

Councillor Lahart, who is from Rathfarnham and lives in Knockylon, is a member of South Dublin County Council. He runs a psychotherapy practice and business in Rathfarnham.

Cllr Lahart is a member of the Tallaght Drugs Task Force, Chair of South Dublin County Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy Committee and is a former board member of Firhouse Community College.

Following the convention Councillor Lahart said:

“There’s been a real sense over the last few weeks that the Government has turned its back on people in Dublin South West.

“Brian Hayes, who was the most senior and most visible Minister for State for the last three years, was encouraged to leave for Europe and the senior Minister in the constituency Pat Rabbitte was sacked.

“When you add this to the cuts and extra charges the Government have hit people with, there is a need for a strong voice to represent the needs of ordinary people in the constituency.

Cllr Lahart said his priorities, if elected, would be housing, employment and mental health.

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin said:

“I am delighted John has the support and confidence of the party members in Dublin South West to contest the forthcoming bye-election.

“This will be a very important campaign for the party and in John we have a strong, determined candidate who would be an excellent Dáil representative for the people in Dublin South West.

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