Burtonport’s John Reilly seeks FF nomination in Glenties local electoral area

Burtonport’s John Reilly promises to bring his “strong work ethic to the table” and “hard working and fully committed” attitude if he is successful in getting a Fianna Fail nomination to contest the June county council elections in the Glenties local electoral area.

From what he describes as a traditional Fianna Fail supporting family, John explained that he had spoken with the family of the late Cllr Noreen McGarvey, who had given huge and devoted service to the community, before making any decision to seek a nomination.

He had also spoken with her daughter Amy, who had indicated that she had no wish to seek a nomination to replace her beloved late mother.  

He told Donegallive.ie:

"I have lived all my life in Burtonport, my mother was born on Rutland Island just out from the harbour. My father is a bellmullet man.  

“I started fishing with my uncle at age 16 in Burtonport and later went to work for Kevin McHugh from killybegs at age 23. 

I skippered the freezer trawlers veronica and atlantic dawn and also the RSW vessels veronica and fellucca. I became fleetmanager for a company which took me to Africa, Oman, and South America.

“My heart was always in Burtonport so I decided to invest in the area in building the wheelhouse cafe in 2019 and the wheelhouse glamping site which has nine glamping pods. 

“I currently employ 15 persons which will increase to 20 for summer months.

“I did so to enhance the area I love and believe the whole area from Ardara to Gweedore is the most stunning areas in the world as my travel has taught me that, and we have not reached our full potential in the tourism industry unless we get investment to the glenties electorial area. 

“I feel, out of the county, we are being left behind in investment, housing, and roads. as well as many other issues. 

“As of now I am the only candidate running for the Fianna Fail seat in the Rosses area at the moment. The convention I believe will hopefully be in a few weeks to give time to another person to show interest. 

He said that there could be one seat in the Rosses area to be filled for Fianna Fail with Cllr Anthony Molloy to run again in the west area of the Glenties LEA. 

“So I wait in anticipation to hopefully be chosen to represent the area to get to work as best I can.”

Mr Reilly also hopes to rebuild the party in the wider area.