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Labour Senator, John Gilroy, gets a handshake from local councillor Noel McCarthy when he visited Fermoy on Tuesday to muster support for his bid at a European nomination from his party. Photo: Ellen Lynch

Glanmire based Senator John Gilroy was in Fermoy on Tuesday mustering support from his Labour colleagues for his bid for a European nomination from his party.

The 47-year-old Senator confirmed just before new year that he will seek the nomination to contest the European elections which will be held in tandem with the local elections in May. In doing so he doesn't mind ousting the sitting Ireland South Labour MEP Phil Prendergast.

He told The Avondhu on Tuesday that he'd been 'sounded out' by party members about running. The selection convention will be held at the end of the month, and while the party hasn't decided on candidates as yet, "there'll be at least two" he assured. "My preference would be for one," he said. Senator Prendergast has signalled her intention of seeking re-election.

The married father of two, who was formerly a psychiatric nurse, believes his experience as a member of Cork County Council for two terms and his stint in the Seanad since 2011 (where he went after just missing out on the second seat in the Cork North-Central constituency by some 50 votes after polling 6,125 first preferences) would make him a strong candidate.

He also points to his experience as the party's finance spokesperson in the Seanad as a strength.

"We need people in Europe that know the economic landscape and are able to network for the benefit of Ireland and particularly of Ireland south," he said. He added that there is arguably more legislation coming out of Europe affecting Ireland than national legislation.

A party activist in Fermoy said during the Senator's visit this week that, given its strong support base, it would be more beneficial to have a candidate from the Cork area.

Cllr Noel McCarthy, who is running for the party in the local elections at the same time, this week threw his lot in with the Senator and said he would be organising for him to meet with local party members shortly. Every Labour party member has a vote at convention.

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