One candidate bidding to get on the Fianna Fáil general election ticket in Galway West has claimed to have come under pressure from local party bigwigs to withdraw from the race.

But Galway City Councillor Alan Cheevers said he was resisting efforts to persuade him not to run – and he will let delegates decide.

“I won’t be pressured into stepping aside,” Cllr Cheevers told The Connacht Tribune.

Cllr Cheevers said powerful forces within the party in Galway – and not headquarters – had put it ‘out there’ that he was not fit, health-wise, to contest a general election.

However, Cllr Cheevers, who topped the poll in Galway City East in June’s Local Election to Galway City Council, said he was ready to serve if that was the wish of party supporters.

He insisted he was “100%” fit to stand. Cllr Cheevers, who revealed a bowel cancer diagnosis in 2022, said he was now cancer-free. He said he had been in hospital in recent weeks for a surgical procedure, which he was recovering from.

“When the campaign starts, I’ll be fit as a fiddle. I won’t withdraw. I’ve spoken to my campaign, and to people I know in Fianna Fáil. I got the highest mandate (of any FF candidate in the Local Election to Galway City Council), I’m the biggest vote getter on the east side of the city, and they’re saying I deserve the opportunity to go in front of convention,” Cheevers said.

The selection convention will be held in the community centre in Oughterard tomorrow (Friday). Other candidates vying to replace retiring TD, Éamon Ó Cuív, include broadcaster Gráinne Seoige; County Councillors Gerry King and Cillian Keane; Daragh Ó Tuairisg; City Councillor John Connolly; and brothers Senator Ollie Crowe, and former City Councillor, Mike Crowe.

Pictured: City Councillor Alan Cheevers: ‘I won’t be pressured into stepping aside’.